On September 20, Festival Foods, a regional grocer known for its community-focused approach, launched its latest store at 800 East Maes Avenue in Kimberly, Wisconsin. This new outlet marks the fifth Festival Foods location in the Fox Valley area, enhancing the grocery chain’s presence and commitment to serving local residents.
The Kimberly store features a unique food court, offering an array of fresh dining options, including sushi, Asian stir-fry, gourmet popcorn, and hot cookies. This initiative caters to the demand for convenient, high-quality meals and adds a vibrant touch to the shopping experience. The deli department is particularly noteworthy, boasting a Picadeli salad bar that includes digital signage and touchscreens to inform customers about the nutritional content of the ingredients. The temperature-controlled compartments not only enhance food safety but also significantly reduce waste, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
Additionally, the new location houses Festival Foods’ second Caribou Coffee kiosk in the Fox Valley. This café offers handcrafted beverages and food items, merging the grocery shopping experience with premium coffee culture. In a market where consumers increasingly seek quality and convenience, this integration is a strategic move to attract a diverse customer base.
The store’s offerings extend beyond fresh foods. It includes a made-from-scratch bakery, a robust selection of wines and spirits, extensive meat varieties, and, according to Festival Foods, the largest seafood selection in Wisconsin. This diverse array of products positions the Kimberly store as a one-stop shop for all grocery needs.
To further enhance customer convenience, the Kimberly location provides a catering service along with a Click N Go online shopping option, allowing customers to order their groceries online and pick them up from the store. This service capitalizes on the growing trend of online shopping, particularly among busy families and professionals.
Jason Jacobs, the Kimberly store director, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion: “We’re excited to expand in the Fox Valley and look forward to becoming a part of the Kimberly community while continuing to serve our guests in the area.” This sentiment reflects Festival Foods’ commitment to integrating into the local fabric and responding to community needs.
In a demonstration of goodwill and community engagement, Festival Foods has donated to the Verhagen Park playground replacement project. Located directly across from Westside Elementary School, the upgraded park will provide a more inclusive space for children of all abilities to play. Mark Skogen, president and CEO of Festival Foods, noted, “We are proud to support our new community with a donation to Verhagen Park. As the community continues to grow, this playground will play a significant role in the lives of our guests and their children.”
The Kimberly store has created 174 jobs, employing both full-time and part-time associates. It operates daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., catering to various shopping schedules and enhancing accessibility for customers.
Festival Foods continues to expand its footprint in Wisconsin, with another store set to open in Hudson on November 8. The company currently employs over 8,000 associates across its 40 full-service supermarkets, further reinforcing its status as a major player in the state’s grocery market. Notably, Festival Foods ranks No. 94 on Progressive Grocer’s 2024 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America, a testament to its growth and customer-centric philosophy.
In summary, the opening of the Kimberly store is more than just an expansion for Festival Foods; it symbolizes the company’s ongoing commitment to community integration, customer convenience, and sustainable practices in the competitive grocery sector. The combination of fresh food offerings, innovative services, and community support strategies ensures that Festival Foods remains a top choice for consumers in the Fox Valley region.