If boutique is what you seek, Barons Market in Point Loma has it all after an extensive remodel.
Barons recently completed a full redesign and renovation of the first of its nine existing stores at 4001 W. Point Loma Blvd. The newly renovated store boasts a fresh salad bar, hot soup counter, olive bar, hot food bar, and olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting bar.
“What makes our store so special is our customer base,” said Paul Hernandez, Barons’ store manager. “We are a natural food store, but this is a classic neighborhood market. We are unique to our neighborhoods. I know these folks.”
Added Hernandez: “They (customers) like what we have. They like the freshness of our store. It’s fun to see the look on people’s faces when they walk in and haven’t been in in a while. and they see our remodel and they go, ‘Wow.’”
The Barons team kept the store doors open during the remodel and worked with interior designer Julie Dugas of Studio H2G to give its oldest, 15,000-square-foot store a makeover that features a one-of-a-kind design that pays homage to nearly 30 years of community service.
In 1993, the Shemirani family opened the first Barons Market on West Point Loma Boulevard to bring delicious, and healthy food at good prices to the community. Fast forward nearly 29 years and Barons Market boasts nine locations in San Diego and Riverside counties. The remodel of its oldest store in Point Loma brings shoppers a modern and updated look.
“Food brings people together. That’s why we will always put our customers first by working alongside local growers and distributors to bring our community good food at good prices,” said Rachel Shemirani, senior vice president of Barons Market. “When we open a store, we become ingrained into the fabric of the community. That’s why remodeling our first Barons was so important. The remodel celebrates 29 years of serving as Point Loma’s go-to neighborhood market and showcases our appreciation and commitment to the community.”
Added Shemirani: “We love being a part of the close-knit community of Point Loma. We have customers that shop with us three times a day, so we’ve gotten to know them pretty well. We even have some customers that started shopping with us with their families as little kids and now shop with us as adults.”
Hernandez said the refit involved “a full reboot of all of the décor in the store. We changed a lot of the lighting and the shelving. We wanted to make it more open.”
The store manager, who has been with Barons for 20 years, talked about why customers keep coming back. “Our produce is top-notch – the best,” noted Hernandez. “These guys just know what they’re doing. They take so much pride in what they do. We have a lot of pride in this store.”
Barons has a bakery section with fresh products brought in daily with lots of low-carb and gluten-free choices. A highlight of the store is its several, separate food bars. “We definitely cater to the folks who don’t necessarily want to spend their money at the fast-food places,” noted Hernandez who added, “Our craft brew section is second to none. It’s very curated. We extended our coolers. It’s very San Diego, very local. It’s extensive. We spent a lot of time thinking about what we wanted to bring in.”
There is a liquor section with a selection of tequilas with some health and beauty, and natural pet food products nearby. Coolers are stocked full of organic and vegan choices along with a fine selection of high-end meats.
“Thought goes into everything that comes into our store,” concluded Hernandez.
BARONS MARKET
Where: 4001 W Point Loma Blvd.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Contact: baronsmarket.com.
