Westborn Market opened its fourth location in Plymouth in July, and we stopped by to see what it's all about.
The store is a repurposing of a former post office on Penniman Avenue, and the interior has been renovated to match the upscale grocery feel of other Westborn locations.
"We have an appetite for growth," said Bryan Bandyk, Westborn's marketing director. "Really, the motivation was the community and property that became available to us that kind of drove it — more than us seeking a fourth location."
Talks of opening the Plymouth Westborn began more than two years ago, and they were inspired by the community and the opportunity there, Bandyk said.
Westborn Market offers more than your typical grocery store, including party trays, catering, fruit baskets, full floral design, and delivery services.
The Plymouth store is smaller than the other locations, but it features two floors. Up top, there's 11,000 square feet of grocery and prepared foods, while the beer and wine selection on the bottom floor offers the largest selection of any Westborn Market.
"We decided that it was going to be pretty much the same version of our existing store, led by produce, but every department is just scaled back a bit," Bandyk said. "We felt that with the downtown suburban-urban location, and the inclusion of the outdoor patio, we could expand our kitchen operation."
The Plymouth location goes a step further than the Westborn Markets in Berkley, Dearborn, and Livonia. It features a full-service bistro, with seating for 20 on the inside and 70 outside on the patio. The menu was created by the Westborn Market team in collaboration with David Gilbert, the chef at Marais in Grosse Pointe.
"It's a contemporary restaurant menu served in a market environment. I think it's pretty cool," Bandyk said. He mentions the crab cakes as some of "the finest in Metro Detroit" and the pork kabobs and flatbreads when asked what his favorite dish was.
The bistro's hours mirror those of the market.
Westborn Market prides itself on its extensive offering of Michigan-made products. At the market, you'll find fresh produce, vegetables and even granola bars made in the state.
"We are dedicated to being the best in every category of service we provide," the market's website reads. "Westborn is a business rooted in proud family tradition, striving to offer nothing but the best quality products for you and your family."
Even on a weekday morning, the Plymouth Westborn Market was bustling with customers. If you're in the area, it's worth a stop.
Westborn Market has additional locations in Berkley at 27659 Woodward Ave. in Berkley; 21770 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn; and 14925 Middlebelt Rd. in Livonia.
