DENVER — Choice Market and Health Hospitality Partners (HHP) are developing a cashierless convenience-store concept for hospitals, with plans for more markets in nontraditional retail spaces nationwide. They will launch the first Mini-Mart market on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colo., in second-quarter 2022.
“At Choice, we firmly believe that food is medicine, and this innovative format will provide doctors, nurses, students, patients and families with 24/7 access to high-quality and nutritious options,” said Mike Fogarty, founder and CEO of Choice Market, a Denver-based convenience-store retailer with four stores, one with fuel, that combine prepared food, natural groceries and everyday necessities with an omnichannel customer experience. “This is truly a game-changer in the healthcare-hospitality sector,” he said.
- Mike Fogarty is among CSP’s Power 20 for 2022.
Prepared food, groceries and everyday necessities will be available at the market. The Anschutz location will also feature Central, a Pan-American kitchen with customizable bowls, tacos, burritos, salads and sandwiches from ingredients sourced locally whenever possible.
Choice Now, a technology that uses artificial intelligence and cameras, will equip Mini-Mart locations with cashierless checkout.
HHP and Choice designed Mini-Mart for nontraditional retail spaces such as hospitals, airports and campuses and plan to expand the concept.
“As we have forged ahead during the COVID-19 pandemic to fulfill our mission to bring hospitality to healthcare, Choice has separated itself from the pack of cutting-edge retailers who provide delicious, nutritious and affordable offerings for stakeholders throughout the healthcare ecosystem,” said Cory Sullivan, COO of HHP. “We are looking forward to announcing additional locations around the country with this partnership in the year ahead.”
CU Anschutz will be the first campus to unveil Mini-Mart for healthcare workers.
“We are thrilled to partner with Choice and HHP to provide the thousands of hard-working healthcare professionals on our campus with nutritious dining options they deserve, especially after giving their all throughout the pandemic,” said Jay Campbell, associate vice chancellor of facilities management and planning for CU Anschutz. “We’re also excited to help establish a blueprint to be modeled on medical campuses nationwide.”
St. Louis-based HHP partners with hospitals and retailers to transform nonclinical spaces into environments that promote respite, health and nurturing at no cost to partner healthcare facilities.
Choice Market is a Denver-based convenience-store retailer with four stores, one with fuel, that combine prepared food, natural groceries and everyday necessities with a leading edge omnichannel customer experience.
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