Take a Look Inside ENroute Market

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- ENroute Market, a new retailer that opened its first location in Walnut Creek, Calif., in early February, bills itself as “a gourmet convenience store for the health conscious” and “for those looking to eat healthier on the way.”

Click through for more details and to take a look at the new concept …

Owner Heather McNeil realized the need for the concept while at a baseball tournament with her two sons. With only 15 minutes to get something to eat, she found herself in a traditional c-store and wondered where she could find a store that offered healthier food.

That evening, she began researching the c-store segment. The single mother wrote a business plan and raised the funds to open ENroute Market.

The store is stocked with a “curated” selection of wine, specialty food, craft beer, cheese and charcuterie, chef-made grab-n-go items and sundries.

ENroute Market also offers locally produced Batch Craft Soda gluten-free fountain beverages made with pure cane sugar.

ENroute Market offers gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and paleo options. It does not sell products that contain partially hydrogenated oils, corn syrups or chemicals.

Former Google chef Charlie Ayers designed ENroute Market’s grab-n-go menu. It includes items such as Energetic Egg Whites, Buddha Bowl and ENroute Nour-itto, as well as Superkid Munchies and Power Pinwheels for younger customers.

The food is made off site and delivered fresh daily along with pastries from Starter Bakery and breads from Oakland’s Firebrand Bakery.

The store donates any leftover meals and baked goods to Monument Crisis Center and University of California Berkeley’s food pantry.