TFM - The Fresh Market

[Townsend]

Was that a stylist?

Owned the hill.  Keith Belknap.  Made his money in Amway.  Died years ago and used to live in the building to the NE of the restaurant.

[Conan71]

Owned the hill.  Keith Belknap.  Made his money in Amway.  Died years ago and used to live in the building to the NE of the restaurant.

Same as Belknap Studios?

[Townsend]

Same as Belknap Studios?

Not sure.

[Conan71]

Not sure.

Nevermind, that was Bill Belknap.

[DolfanBob]

Owned the hill.  Keith Belknap.  Made his money in Amway.  Died years ago and used to live in the building to the NE of the restaurant.

I knew that POS back in the day. He owned a company called "Champions" at 45th and Mingo right next to the Lot-A-Burger. He was a Diamond in Amway and I was taken to one of his put on rallies at the convention center and it just amounted to a bunch of A-holes bragging about how much money they made while stepping on their friends. A few years after his empire crumbled. I had a chance to see his personal bungalow at the top of that business. I was informed that he was very ill and dying at that time and I believe his extramarital exploits had finally caught up with him and ruined his marriage.
My disdain for the man is quite personal and even reading or hearing his name brings all that bad blood back to the surface.

[Townsend]

I knew that POS back in the day. He owned a company called "Champions" at 45th and Mingo right next to the Lot-A-Burger. He was a Diamond in Amway and I was taken to one of his put on rallies at the convention center and it just amounted to a bunch of A-holes bragging about how much money they made while stepping on their friends. A few years after his empire crumbled. I had a chance to see his personal bungalow at the top of that business. I was informed that he was very ill and dying at that time and I believe his extramarital exploits had finally caught up with him and ruined his marriage.
My disdain for the man is quite personal and even reading or hearing his name brings all that bad blood back to the surface.

Yup, that's the guy.  Your opinion matches many.

[Conan71]

MC and I went Saturday.  The place was a zoo but that is to be expected with the new factor.  I like the layout, pricing was quite reasonable, we got sockeye salmon, shrimp, beef tenderloin, and baby backs all for about what I expect to pay at Reasors and even less on some items.  Produce was all very fresh and they have some interesting gourmet items like duck fat.  I'll be interested to see if the prices end up staying in the range they are in or if it's simply grand opening specials.

We also ended up getting a couple of gallons of whole unpasteurized milk at Swan Brothers for our cheese project.

[sgrizzle]

We've been three times (we live nearby) and got baked goods, meat (the chicken breasts are a pound a piece) and some giant grapes. Eating cinnamon apple chips out of the bulk foods area as I type this.

[Gaspar]

I talked with one of the managers.  The prices are not "introductory."  The prices are set regionally, and they frequently shop other stores to make sure they are competitive.  I stopped by today and got a Turkey & Swiss wrap for lunch and a bottle of Blackstrap molasses for a few pork butts I'm doing this week.  The sandwich was awesome.

[sgrizzle]

I talked with one of the managers.  The prices are not "introductory."  The prices are set regionally, and they frequently shop other stores to make sure they are competitive.  I stopped by today and got a Turkey & Swiss wrap for lunch and a bottle of Blackstrap molasses for a few pork butts I'm doing this week.  The sandwich was awesome.

How did you post this without mentioning the fact they carry 3 guys smokin'?

[Gaspar]

How did you post this without mentioning the fact they carry 3 guys smokin'?

Oh. . .and by the way. . .

[heironymouspasparagus]

I will defiantly shop there because it is right by my neighborhood, and it really has a great atmosphere.  It reminds me of the Schnuck's store in Claton, Mo.  Gueed will probably be the only person who knows that analogy.

Or Maryland Heights, MO.  If they are like Schnuck's, they should be at least okay, if not pretty good...

[heironymouspasparagus]

I talked with one of the managers.  The prices are not "introductory."  The prices are set regionally, and they frequently shop other stores to make sure they are competitive.  I stopped by today and got a Turkey & Swiss wrap for lunch and a bottle of Blackstrap molasses for a few pork butts I'm doing this week.  The sandwich was awesome.

Did you get the pork there?

[nathanm]

I feel like I'm getting a little weird about distance. 81st and Yale seems too far to reasonably go except on a special occasion. Even 41st and Harvard seems like it's too far for grocery shopping.

[heironymouspasparagus]

I feel like I'm getting a little weird about distance. 81st and Yale seems too far to reasonably go except on a special occasion. Even 41st and Harvard seems like it's too far for grocery shopping.

Ohhh, mannnnn.... you gotta get out more!  Was in far east BA last weekend, and got a wild hair for some roots & shoots, so went to Whole Food to look around and buy a few things.  Will try to get to this new place this weekend - but it is much closer to where we will be this weekend.