Meinhardt Fine Foods is a New York Bodega-style concept store, a first for the long-established Vancouver premium grocer.  The store opened summer of 2018, located within the new Grosvenor Ambleside residential/retail development at 1350 Marine Drive in West Vancouver.  It is Meinhardt’s third location, and the first on Vancouver’s North Shore. The original Meinhardt store has been a fixture of South Granville Street for more than two decades and has developed a large, loyal following of customers. Meinhardt has been the go-to destination for locals to source premium grocery products typically not found elsewhere and its fresh and packaged gourmet options that appeal to even the most sophisticated palates of those with dietary restrictions.  Building on this tradition of providing fine food choices and a premium shopping experience, the new store will incorporate an upscale café unique to this location:

• with seating for 28 inside and 20 seats on an outdoor patio, the café will be the largest of the three Meinhardt stores;
• full-service barista coffee bar featuring a custom-designed premium coffee and loose teas menu, complemented by a wide selection of house made fresh-baked goods; and
• it will offer free wi-fi, a state-of-the-art video wall, and contemporary and relaxing furniture.

Similar to the other Meinhardt locations, the new store will also offer “grab-and-go” ready to eat nutritional and healthy meals prepared by a team of highly-skilled chefs using only the freshest ingredients.  The hot food bar features breakfast, lunch and dinner selections, and is complemented by an extensive salad bar.

“We’re very proud of what we serve,” says Nico Boleslawsky, Store Manager at the Ambleside location.  “Our chefs will be highly visible to our customers when they visit our store.  We want them to know who’s preparing their food, and to ask questions about what they’re eating.” All Meinhardt in-house foods are made from scratch using locally-sourced, sustainable ingredients such as Ocean Wise seafood products and locally raised free-range non-GMO chicken.
The new Meinhardt Ambleside location will offer a pleasant shopping alternative for those looking to escape the warehouse environments of larger chain stores.  It’s bright and airy design includes a produce island, frozen food aisle, an outdoor floral market and boutique grocery section featuring specialty items and everyday food essentials featuring top-selling brands. 


“This new Ambleside store provides us an exciting opportunity share our love of quality foods with a whole new clientele,” says Michael Meinhardt, General Manager of Meinhardt Fine Foods.  “We’ll bring all of the traditional values and approach that have proven popular with our Vancouver customers, but will be adding touches that we think will appeal to the West Vancouver community.” Meinhardt was awarded four Golden Plate Awards by the Georgia Straight, including Best Specialty Grocer, and two second place finishes for Best Specialty Food Store and Best Picnic Supplier.

Like its other stores, the new Ambleside location will be open seven days per week.