Toucan Market Can-Do
How the Las Cruces specialty grocery found its niche. Plus Chinese fast-food slowdown, Walgreen's wait, satisfying kumquat curiosity and finding Funky Karma.
Spotlight on. . .
Toucan Market
At first glance, one might see Las Cruces' Toucan Market as the local answer to Trader Joe's. A fun, laid-back atmosphere, exotic grocery items, staff in tropical shirts and some really great deals on wines certainly tempt one to compare the two stores. But the market's focus on certain grocery categories—organic, fresh meats and produce, for example—also brings to mind shades of Wild Oats and Whole Foods markets. Some tasty and hard-to-find exotic and gourmet items might remind one of AJ's, the chic gourmet grocery store in Tucson.
But look a little closer, say the store's creators, and you'll discover some important differences that set Toucan Market apart.
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Robert Baur Jr., left, and Richard Cole, co-owners of Toucan Market.
(Photo by Donna Clayton Lawder) |
The store's co-owners, Robert Baur Jr., a 30-year grocery man, and Richard Cole, a veteran of the business world, are themselves an example of blended strengths. In fact, Baur says, it's where they got the name for their business.
"We presented our business plan for our start-up financing, and the banker said something like 'We have confidence that together, you two can make this work,'" Baur recalls. "I thought 'That's it! Toucan!'"
Financing secured and a fun logo born, the two went to work creating their ideal grocery store.
"There just wasn't any place around that I wanted to shop," Cole says.
So they decided to build their own. Now, Cole estimates, at least 12 percent of their business comes from out of town—in some cases significantly out of town. "Oh, we get people from Alamogordo, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, El Paso," he says. "We have a couple of ladies who come from Santa Fe once a month. We get people from Silver City—some of them come once a week!"
The pair drew inspiration from other examples in the grocery business and added things they saw lacking. They liked the Trader Joe's concept of a "small footprint"—as in building size. Toucan Market is 15,000 square feet, where many conventional grocery stores are 25,000 or more. They also liked the idea of carrying their own name-brand products. But Joe's has no on-premises bakery or butcher block—all the meat is packaged. At Toucan, the aroma of fresh bread fills the air and customers choose cuts from a real butcher case.
And in the wine department, don't look for "Three-Buck-Chuck," the bargain-basement offerings of the Charles Shaw vineyard that Trader Joe's is known for. Toucan Market has a "three-bottles-for-$10" rack, offering a constantly changing selection of French, Californian and other wines of a significantly higher pedigree. The rest of the wine department is full of a wide range of varietals, imported and domestic, and the store sells a whopping 128 microbrew beers and ales.
Like the national chains Wild Oats and Whole Foods markets, Toucan Market emphasizes natural and organics. Baur estimates the store's mix as about 70 percent natural and organic and 30 percent "conventional" grocery, with national name brands.
"I still want my Heinz ketchup!" he says with a laugh, and points out a variety of "conventional" products on the shelves, items one would find in a common grocery store. This makes shopping convenient for the customer, adds Cole. "They find they can do all of their shopping here."
And something you'll find only at Toucan Market is their impressive variety of their own label products—currently 176 of them—including trail mixes, barbeque sauces, salad dressings, salsa and spice mixes. Soon, Cole says, they will carry their own labeled wines.
Pulling salsas and sauces off the shelf, Baur reads ingredients and instructions from the labels. He points to the sampling stations where items are set out for customers to try. The store also gives tours on request and schedules cooking demonstrations, to show customers what's possible and how to incorporate new ingredients into their home cooking.
"What we're selling is a better way to eat," Baur says. "People can come here and find out how interesting and easy really good cooking can be."
Toucan Market is located at 1701 #1 E. University in the Pan Am Plaza in Las Cruces. Open 7 days, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. 521-3003.
For sale: The marquee at Silver Heights Nursery now proclaims what many Silver City locals have suspected or known for quite some time: The long-time nursery business is on the market. Call for details, the sign says.
Sold!: Silver City's Pinon Plaza, the 13-unit, 11,150-square-foot commercial property on the hill near the intersection of Hwy. 180 and 90, is under contract, confirms listing agent Steve White of Coldwell Banker Real Estate. Sale price, buyer and closing date were not given, as they are not yet a matter of public record.
Not so fast! The Golden Star Chinese Fast Food restaurant has hit a major speed bump, leaving the massive renovations at the property colder than a left-over wonton. Work has stopped at the building on Hwy. 180 in Silver City that formerly housed Ken's Old-Fashioned Pizza Pie and R&R Pizza before that. A bold red sticker on the front door says the current work does not conform to the town building code, lacking plans and permits on all aspects: plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire safety. The community-development office confirms that work may not proceed until permits are secured, and that these have yet to be applied for. Additionally, work at the site was being done by unlicensed contractors, a distinct no-no in commercial construction. No property owner for the restaurant is officially listed at the town office. The phone number listed on the illegally erected sign out front is a fax number, presumably for take-out orders, but no orders will be taken any time soon.
And on that note, don't hold your breath waiting for Walgreen's! There's been no progress for some time now at the commercial construction project on Hwy. 180 where the new Dollar General store opened and a Walgreen's is slated. The bulldozer on the site has been sitting idle so long that grass has grown up around it. The retail spot next to Dollar General remains unrented. El Paso-based RJL Real Estate, listed on the sign at the site, declined to comment on the project's progress or lack of same, but said both commercial properties are under contract and referred calls to Bencor, the Colorado Springs-based brokerage for the property. A spokesman at Bencor says the deals are not closed and are contingent upon the Hwy. 180 improvement project. Duane Gray at Engineers Inc. confirms that the project goes up for bid Nov. 17 and contractors are being told they cannot start work until January at the earliest.
Happy anniversary! The Spaghetti Western restaurant celebrates its third anniversary this month. Chef-owner Jake Politte, the self-proclaimed "pasta nazi" of Silver City, says the eatery continues to be outrageously busy since it was mentioned in a New York Times article earlier this year. Politte says he procures fresh goods from a local butcher, seafood monger, grocery supply and produce growers. The restaurant will celebrate its milestone by introducing "even more hardcore Italian" cuisine, Politte says, with dishes from northern and central Italy. Look for new desserts by winter.
On the move: Look for the Curious Kumquat in its new location by holiday time. The Silver City international grocery and kitchen gadget store will move to 111 E. College, the old Lusk Flower & Gift shop—giving the business more space for an expanded cheeses and meats section. Co-owners Rob and Tyler Connoley plan to hold more culinary classes in the Kumquat's new digs, and will also add a coffee and tea tasting room, which Rob says customers have been asking for.
Expanding: AmBank has moved into its newly expanded building at 1609 N. Swan St. in Silver City, bringing all operations under one roof. The facility has two drive-up ATMs at the location and is adding more drive-in banking lanes. The AmBank ATM on Silver Heights Blvd. will remain open. The bank also operates branches in Bayard and Hurley.
The Pet Health Shoppe and Grooming Center, located in Pinon Plaza, has added a Do-It-Yourself Pet Wash. No muss or fuss in the tub at home—just bring Fido down for pesticide-free flea and tick treatments and bathing with coconut-based shampoos and conditioners. Walk-ins welcome, $12 per wash. Owner Doug Lacy says his shop's natural dog treats make many customers look forward to their baths. The shop sells natural pet foods and products and also offers professional pet grooming by appointment.
The Silver City Gospel Mission is hoping to draw new customers to Otra Vez Thrift Store, which the mission operates to generate funds to help the needy in Grant County and beyond. The store has used fall and winter items in stock, with a wide range of men's, women's and children's clothing items, prices starting at 25 cents, as well as household items and books. Except for the third Monday of each month, the store is open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Donations are accepted Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-12 noon.
Las Cruces and Mesilla
The Funky Karma Incense & Tea Shop has opened at 207 Avenida de Mesilla, across the road from Bosa Donuts. Funky Karma offers an array of goods designed to enhance life, according to owner Janet Skaggs, including incense from around the world, incense burners, candles, fragrant oils and lotions, as well as teas and spices, with new flavors and varieties arriving daily. The shop also boasts a small tea bar where customers can enjoy a cup with a sweet treat.
Giving Las Crucens even more banking options, Bank of the Rio Grande has announced its plans to open a third branch at the corner of Northrise Drive and Rinconada Blvd., on the east side of town. The company's main local location is at 421 N. Water St., and it operates a branch on S. Teleshor Blvd.
In the "Good News/Bad News" department, the eagerly awaited St. Clair wine tasting room, which will serve food and feature the wines of the Deming-based St. Clair Winery (see story in this issue), has been delayed, missing its projected October opening. The good news is that the Blue Teal Winery, which the tasting room/bistro will eventually replace, will remain open at least until December.
Char Patterson, a certified nutritionist, has opened Herb-n-Cowgirl, a visiting personal chef business in Las Cruces. Patterson will visit the customer's home once or twice a week to prepare meals for the week. For consultations and info: 524-1031.
Vado Travel City, which was on the market for some time, has been sold at auction for just under $2 million by Sperry Van Ness Accelerated Marketing, a commercial real estate investment and marketing firm. The 16,617-square-foot truck stop off I-10 exit 155 was sold to Houston-based Petroleum Wholesale.
The Small Business Development Center at 2345 E. Nevada Ave. will present a luncheon workshop on "Selling a Business," Nov. 7, 12:15-1 p.m. For business owners looking to protect their businesses or expand, seminars on "Insuring Your Business" and "Operating in the International Market" will be held in December. Information and registration: 527-7676.
Business Exposure is a monthly column that focuses on local business from all angles. Each issue spotlights a featured Southwest New Mexico business, and updates ongoing business items of interest. Feel free to suggest business topics for the column, and let us know about your own business' changes and newsworthy events; send to donna@desertexposure.com.
