A technology provider that helps farmers markets handle online orders is set to open its first physical store — with more to come.
WhatsGood will open the first in a series of Chicago-based Farm Shops in the city’s Lincoln Park area on 7 December. A small-footprint version of a farmer’s market, the store will feature locally sourced products and will offer one-hour local delivery to Chicago’s Northside. The company said it plans to open a WhatsGood Farm Shop in every neighbourhood in Chicago and New England during the next two years.
The featured products in the Farm Shops will be locally sourced from farms and producers no more than a three-hour drive to the store. Every purchase will provide local food producers with six to eight times higher margins than a traditional grocery store, according to WhatsGood.
The store will reflect the theme of food supply transparency. Massive wooden barn doors separate the front shopping area from the rear fulfilment portion. At times, shoppers will be able to watch and meet farmers, artisans and chefs dropping off their products or observe dozens of online orders being picked and packed for delivery.
