Here’s some inside information that will make your heart sing. Not far from where you sit right now, there is a lovely neighborhood shop where you can gather all the ingredients you need to make a delicious meal for your family tonight. Some of that meal may even be in a convenient grab-and-go case, ready to be heated and served in a moment’s notice.
This is Holiday Market Select, the younger Birmingham cousin of your favorite Holiday Market in Royal Oak, the family-owned and operated gourmet grocery you’ve known and loved as long as you can remember.
“When you walk into Holiday Market Select, you’ll be greeted by friendly employees who are chosen because they know how to care for our customers,” says co-owner and operator Tom Violante, Jr., who runs the Holiday Market locations with his sister and brother-in-law, Gina and Craig Mangold. “Pretty soon, you’ll know everyone’s name, just like in an old-fashioned corner store.”
Within a manageable 5,000 square feet, Holiday Market Select offers something special: everything you need for your weekly grocery shop in a quick and easy format. You’ll find the highest quality produce, meats, dairy products and packaged items, but you’ll never be overwhelmed. And that’s like getting an extra boost of energy in your day, Violante says.
“At Holiday Market Select, you can always find a unique mustard, honey or jam that has been thoughtfully selected for you, so you don’t have to choose between 40 different types,” he says, adding that you’ll use just a fraction of the time you budgeted for your shopping trip. This will free you up to spend time with family and friends and other enjoyable activities.
Like a friendly neighborhood cafe
Don’t be surprised if your visit to Holiday Market Select becomes the highlight of your day. Turn your typical shopping trip into a Parisian escape by indulging in a hot, made-to-order baguette sandwich and enjoy it right in the Holiday Market Select cafe before (or after) you shop.
“Our baguette sandwiches were inspired by a trip I took to Europe,” Violante says. “I just love the idea of sitting at a sidewalk cafe and enjoying an espresso and a really great sandwich made with simple, delicious ingredients.”
The Green Goddess will delight you with fresh spinach, cucumbers and avocado slices, a fried green tomato and feta, dressed with an earthy, rich green goddess dressing. Or maybe try the Rotisserie Chicken with Pesto, slow-cooked rotisserie chicken, fresh spinach and avocado with Davina tomatoes smeared with scratch-made pesto. With six different choices, you’ll struggle to pick just one.
If you’re on the go but thinking ahead, you can always choose from four different grab-and-go baguette sandwich options, including house-braised corned beef, coleslaw, Swiss cheese and scratch-made Russian dressing. Or maybe try the simply delicious soppressata, brie and arugula.
“Our baguette sandwiches are specially designed to blend the flavors of just a few carefully selected ingredients, which means phenomenal flavor in an easy-to-eat sandwich,” Violante says.
Maybe a hot, made-to-order croissant sandwich is more your style. Holiday Market Select offers four choices, each made with farm-fresh ingredients between authentic buttery layers of a French croissant. Try the Holiday Deluxe, a baked egg, fresh avocado, arugula, tomato and scratch-made chipotle cream cheese. Delicious!
The wait is over: ice cream, hand scooped at Holiday Market Select
Debuting this spring at Holiday Market Select is something the whole family will love: super-premium ice cream in a variety of luscious flavors. Super-premium ice cream is denser, creamier and filled with higher-quality ingredients than regular ice cream.
All flavors are available in a cup or cone, and Old Fashioined Vanilla — made with Wisconsin cream, cane sugar and pure vanilla— and Zanzibar Chocolate — with three kinds of cocoa and a rich, fudge brownie taste — are always in stock.
Seasonal varieties include Superman, Mint Chip, Pistachio Nut, Praline Pecan, Moose Tracks, Espresso, Munchie Madness (sweet cake batter ice cream swirled with salted caramel ripple and brimming with Oreos, M&M pieces and peanut butter cups) and Kitty Kitty Bang Bang (smooth cheesecake ice cream with sweet raspberry ripple, Oreos and soft chocolate chunks).
Not into dairy? No worries. Lemon Italian Ice and rich, smooth Chocolate Soy will fit the bill nicely.
Nothing pairs better with ice cream than coffee, so grab an espresso, cappuccino or one of Holiday Market Select’s signature coffee drinks. You’ll love the Creme Brulee Latte, inspired by the French toast creme brulee available in the grab-and-go section at Holiday Market in Royal Oak. Not too sweet, but full of caramel and vanilla flavors that blend together so very well.
Learn more about Holiday Market Select in Birmingham and Holiday Market in Royal Oak at holiday-market.com.
