Downtown Las Vegas gains a grocer

Downtown Las Vegas finally has its grocery store.

The Market debuted at 611 East Fremont Street Thursday afternoon, accomplishing one of Tony Hsieh’s visions for revitalizing the area when he started the Downtown Project, a $350 million redevelopment plan, almost three years ago.

But the grand opening came just nine days after Downtown Project laid off 30 people, garnering the Zappos CEO and urban redevelopment financier negative headlines across the country.

Hsieh spoke briefly before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, telling the small crowd outside that he isn’t abandoning the Downtown Project.

“And you can quote that,” he said as people clapped and cheered.

The layoffs didn’t dampen excitement for the upscale grocery’s opening. Downtown residents said there was an urgent need for the Whole Foods-inspired store offering fresh produce, organic ingredients, gourmet coffee and craft beer.

The Market, which will employ 30 to 40 people, won’t have much competition in the area.

The closest small food store is White Cross Market at 1700 Las Vegas Blvd. South, about 1.5 miles away. The nearest conventional grocer is a Smith’s Foods on Rancho Drive near Charleston Boulevard, about 2 miles away.

And some residents are used to traveling longer distances in the search for quality.

Shane McCarter, who lives in a high-rise condo at the nearby Juhl, said he often has had to drive five or 10 miles to shop at Whole Foods.

“This is very convenient,” he said. “I’m real big on no GMO (genetically modified organism) kind of foods.”

Brandi Planet, who lives at The Ogden, said she’s been counting down the days until the market’s open.

“It’s prefect for getting last-minute items, or something quick if you don’t want to cook,” she said.

The 6,000-square-foot space will hold about 10,000 items on its shelves, much less than a conventional grocery.

Ellyn Chantos, The Market’s general manager, said the store will offer a wide selection of organic and gluten-free foods, as well as Ho Hos cakes.

Deli sandwiches will be available, with the protein provided by Larry’s Great Western Meats, she said.

Chantos has been working on the store’s concept since March, she said.

“This is truly my baby,” she said.

But now the real challenge begins.

“We have to figure out what the customer wants,” she said. “Retail is ever-changing.”

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Councilman Bob Coffin and U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., spoke at the opening.

“Every single tomato has been polished, every potato has been washed,” Goodman said.

Not everyone was pleased with the flamboyance of the opening, however.

A man pushing a stroller filled with trinkets and an old pizza box yelled in frustration as the size of the crowd forced him to walk in the street.

“Stupid … thing to have the sidewalk blocked off,” he yelled during Goodman’s speech.

No one responded as the man walked off.

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com. Follow @blasky on Twitter.