~ Global meets local, fresh and friendly ~
Market Garden is already known for its wide array of freshly fragrant veggies, butcher-friendly meat counter and aisles of beautifully displayed products meeting the needs of shoppers from all across the island. Store manager May Li’s vision for Market Garden doesn’t stop there. She has recently brought in several programs that will expand the store’s level of service to the community.
The focus remains on meeting people’s needs for healthy, high-quality food at reasonable prices and with friendly convenience.
“We want to make shopping an enjoyable time, a chance to meet and greet friends, share a coffee or a lunch, and make our customers feel relaxed and stress-free,” said Li during a tour of the store. “We want each person to be greeted with a smile when they step inside, because something like that can make a huge difference in someone’s day.”
One of the main upgrades is to go fully green, or environmentally friendly. Li says the store is “tired of plastic” and so they have opted to use biodegradable packaging throughout, right down to the straws and coffee stirrers. Clients can bring their own reusable shopping bags or they are offered paper bags at the check-out counter. The seating area outside the store features chairs and tables made from recycled pallet wood, and all around the store, inside and out, are flowers and plants that add to the green feel of the store. It truly is a “Market Garden!”
Another upgrade that has got many clients talking is the Double Dutch Café managed by Kallie Mihalos and featuring the talents of barista Christian Peper. This is a special spot where friends can meet together, have a coffee at the Café and split the check – or “go Dutch.” Here is where local meets global and everyone is a winner.
The Café has much more than just fresh brewed artisan coffee, although that alone is a reason to stop by in your daily routine, but don’t overlook their made-to-order omelettes, healthy snacks and lunch offerings, such as fresh-made soup and sushi; gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, dairy-free cakes; also great sandwiches, wraps and pastries.
The sandwiches are designed to be ready for take-out, in a grab-n-go package, freshly made daily on hearty artisan breads. The sky’s the limit here. They offer a wide variety of international combinations, including brie and apple, vegetarian, Mediterranean hummus and feta, Italian parmigiana, turkey breast with cheese, black forest ham and cheese, johnnycake with ham and cheese, roast beef and even a sandwich made with the flavourful rotisserie chicken meat.
Double Dutch is a great place to stop in for a mid-day break. Fresh juices and smoothies are becoming quite popular among the health-conscious members of our community and this is the best place to find the mix that you desire. Juice shots of wheatgrass, ginger, beet or kale; anything you see in the vegetable display of the store can immediately be juiced up for you, including disease-busting superfoods. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of possibilities to choose from – plus you can add protein powders, chia or herbs. Smoothies can be made with almond, cashew or soy milk, lactose-free milk or organic milk.
Signature items that have the clients coming in on a regular basis are the classic Rotisserie Chicken (prepared with local seasonings) and the delectable Bagel and Lox. Everyone loves the salad bar, which is much more than just salad and a great way to eat healthy on a budget. Feeling fancy? They also offer a collection for High Tea.
Need to pick up a healthy dinner on the way home from work? Your easy meal is ready and waiting for you! Just choose something from the daily prep such as the roast beef, roast chicken, pizza, or tempura vegetables. And don’t forget the delicious soups: Conch, wonton, chicken all on hand and sure to please.
Sweet tooth feeling left out? Have no fear. Double Dutch has pastries, cakes, muffins, donuts, eclairs, cupcakes, and Danishes of apricot, blueberry or cheese. Going vegan or gluten-free is no problem, there are plenty of options for those with special requests.
So what is the real heart of Market Garden? This is a many-faceted jewel – any way you look at it, you are dazzled. First comes the healthy aspect of the foods and beverages. Everything is fresh and organic. The store and café are clean and modern. The staff persons are courteous and professional, coming in early each day to prepare all the foods by 10:30am. It’s an enjoyable place to shop and it’s convenient and affordable. Market Garden understands the importance of being responsible to the environment and has made strides in going green, leading the island’s businesses in decreasing single-use plastics.
Market Garden is located at 109 Welfare Road on the ground floor of the ultramodern Commodore Suites Hotel, notable by its unique architecture with wide white walls and a zig-zag roof that recalls the shape of a sailing yacht and large circular windows. Market Garden, Double Dutch Café and the Commodore Suites are all under the same organizational umbrella, and all are committed to an eco-friendly approach to business, leaving a limited footprint in the island and the planet’s sustainability.
Market Garden is open every day from 6:00am to 9:00pm. Double Dutch Café is serving fresh coffee and meals from 7:00am till 5:00pm. Check their facebook page (Double Dutch Café SXM) for specials on coffees and other treats.
