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Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/21/2008 7:22:49 AM

Went this weekend and other than the horrible cobblestone drive I was VERY impressed. Not something you would think to find at the lake. A real bakery and deli, great selection of foods, veggies, meats and all excellent quality.

Prices were very high. Time will tell if they can get away with keeping things so high. One side of me says yes because there is nothing to compete with it and you are paying for the convienence too. But on the flip side, those that live year round at the lake can plan better than us weekend visitors and over time will not buy the majority of their needs there.

To keep doing fresh when keeping the selection and quality high they need consistent volume. They also had a lot of people working in that place, so unless they get the traffic, they will think they need to raise prices higher and then go in to the death spirial of business.

I say based on what i saw, and if they can keep it up they can command a slight premium over a big box grocery store, but right now they are 20-30% higher. This place looks like a whole foods store, but it takes a lot of volume to keep that going.

I decided to get some of their prepared chicken salad for lunch. $12.99 a pound. I buy at Whole Foods in Atlanta for $7.99 pound. I also got a piece of coconut cake, it was excellent. $3.99 for a slice. To me $4 for a piece of cake (not in the restaurant) is double what it should be. Places like Whole Foods charge $1.99 to max $2.99 for a single dessert. Catherines should probably be at $2.49 or $2.99. They were charging $25 for the whole cake. Like i said it was good, but we are talking a cake here and it is the lake. High end bakeries do not charge $25 for a cake.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/21/2008 7:54:05 AM

Isn't that about the worst cobblestone drive you've ever seen? I don't know who made that decision, but while it looks nice, it is horrible to walk on and drive on.

I was there again on Friday. There were only a handfull of people in there. I bought pork chops and while very good, I don't know if they were higher quality than what I could have gotten elsewhere. At $4.99 a pound, I didn't think they were much higher than what they would have been in another store. I shopped the aisles this time and I was able to find some items (like anchovy paste) that I would normally have to go to Montgomery for. I bought some dried cherries and while they were expensive, they were also very high quality and very, very good. I wasn't overly impressed with the bread I bought. Not sure that it isn't pretty much like bread in store bakerys in most places.

I'm assuming that their high prices on freshly prepared salads are to cover the amount of waste they are going to have with low volume of customers. I also assume they opened now to get the staff trained for the main season. The guy behind the counter seemed to have no idea which cheese was parmiggano. And I had to tell the cashier what each and every vegetable was. She didn't seem to even be able to identify zucchini, much less watercress and flat leaf parsley.

I can't see myself shopping there for all my needs, but I love their selections of some things that can't be found in the regular grocery. I just hope their quality doesn't fall off due to lack of business.

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/21/2008 10:04:46 AM

I think their selection is great and was very impressed. I do expect slightly higher prices. I go more on the feeling of value. In my example I paid close to $7 for 8 ounces of chicken salad. That feels high. Your pork chops (if bonesless) at $4.99 a pound is not excessive, but still high. If they had the bone in then they were about $1.50 a pound too high.

You can buy NY Strip steaks or Rib eyes ate Costco for $5.99 a pound and tenderloin for $7.99.

Please don't get me wrong, I love that we have the store and do expect the prices to be somewhat higher. My point is that i want them to be successful so we can have something this good at the lake. But i am afraid if they do not think in terms of being 5-10% higher people will only use them for specialty items and as a convience store and if that happens they will not be able maintain the fresh selections, prepared foods, bakery, etc. They need volume and they will not get volume if their prices are beyond that 10% premium level.

I only come to the lake on weekends so will probaly shop there no matter what as it is so close to me. But they can not live off weekend lake goers alone. They need the full time people supporting them regularly to get the volume to lower waste, which will not happen if prices are not in line.

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/21/2008 10:06:04 AM

Oh .... yes that it the worst cobblestone drive i have ever been on. They need to fill in the gaps to smooth it out.

Name:	Pier Pressure -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/22/2008 11:14:12 AM

Where exactly is Catherine's?

Name:	au67 -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/22/2008 11:27:06 AM

On Highway 63 south just before the entrance to The Ridge, Windemere, Windover, etc...on the right...you won't miss it.

Name:	au67 -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/22/2008 11:29:47 AM

A little more info.

URL: http://www.russellcrossroads.com/

Name:	Kizma Anuice -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/22/2008 12:13:30 PM

I have been to the store 4 times. I have shopped at Whole Foods in Bham and the new top end store in Homewood. Catherines is better than either.It is also better than "The Market" in West Palm Beach or Trader Joes in T. O. Califonia. Even if you can run into Will Smith Joe Montana or Gretsky at Joe's.

I don't believe that you can compare the prices to Costco or local stores. They only sell comercial grade meats and b grade fruits.

Every thing at Catherines is first class. You can buy sushi grade tuna and take it to the grill and have them sear it for you. It is great. The same holds true for great steaks. Or you can order off the menu.

I saw Rick from V Richards there and commented that he did a better job than here than he did at his store in Bham. He replied that he had more money to work with.

I belive that the store is a bargain and a great amminity for us. I suspect that Ben will keep it going even if it is a money loser. I am sure that when the real estate market turns around, that fact that there is somewhere to get great food will make real estate more valuable.

If you do not frequent this establishment you are either cheap, stupid or raised on meat and three with lots of grease.

Name:	green,ed -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/22/2008 12:33:38 PM

I'm almost sure that'sot their sales slogan.

Name:	Tallyman -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/22/2008 2:49:09 PM

Does they have collards and grits or yall to fancy for that?

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/22/2008 6:20:15 PM

It is on the side of the lake where all the rich republicans live. I love the place, but still think their prices are too high. Just because you have it does not mean you want to waste it. Those that don't really have it are the ones that like to act like money means nothing.

Name:	AC KT -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/22/2008 7:36:52 PM

They have great cheese grits and eggs benedict. Our entire party enjoyed their breakfast there Sunday a.m. There was a line waiting for a table!!

Name:	willallie -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/22/2008 10:25:42 PM

Am really excited that Catherine's Market is here, and will certainly shop there for specialty items. First time I have seen Fois Gras for sale - at $65.99 per lb. - will buy just a little piece. Cheeses look great, but wish they would sell Raclette cheese. I have always been a fan of V Richards in Birmingham. Glad they have seafood....meat looks good.....but will go back to Green Valley Market & Cafe to buy my filet mignon and ribeyes. Quality is the same, if not better, and more reasonably priced.

I"m looking forward to Sinclair's "stepping up to the plate" - after the opening of the Springhouse Restaurant later this year.

and.... what about Castaway? Wonder what will be opening there? Hope they have good food, good service and no late night bar scene.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Catherine's Market
Date:	12/23/2008 7:47:55 AM

One of the things I noticed was how willing the managers are willing to interact with the customers. I'm a total foodie, so the arrival of Catherine's is like manna from heaven for me.
I made a mediterrean marindade for the pork chops I bought and grilled them, and they were fabulous.
I also bought some dried cherries while I was there. They had so much more flavor than anything you can buy in the regular store. They also had two items that I have recently shopped the internet for -- "little scarlet" strawberry jam and truffled honey -- and I have to say that their prices were no higher than what I found on the internet. And a specific olive oil that I like to splurge on was $35. a bottle which is what I have paid in the past.

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