Tag Archives: Andronico’s
Top food stories from Berkeley in 2011
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to look back to see what food stories created a buzz around town and on Berkeleyside in 2011.
Granted, there’s an arbitrary nature to such end-of-year lists. But it’s an opportunity to take stock of the city’s culinary culture.
For the purposes of this post we’ve focused on food news stories, which doesn’t take into account the dozens of interviews with foragers, farmers, artisans, advocates, chefs, cooking teachers, preservers, pasta makers, cheese purveyors, pop-up restaurateurs, and farmers’ market vendors we’ve published during 2011.
This year also saw controversial coverage of corner stores, reporting on detractors of school food, an insider’s take on speed dating with a veg-friendly focus, and a widely criticized first-person piece on disappointing camp chow.
Readers may differ on what food stories caught their attention. Feel free to add your own highlights (or low points) in the comments section.
In alphabetical order: … Continue reading »
As Andronico’s on University closes, huge sale in progress
Andronico’s on University Avenue will be closing its doors on Saturday, but in the meantime it is holding a huge going-out-of-business sale.
All the “dry groceries” in the store are 50% off and the wine, beer, and alcohol are 20% off. The sale meant that the grocery store saw a surge in sales on Saturday, when it did seven times the normal amount of business, according to a store manager.
The bankrupt grocery chain, started in Berkeley 82 years ago, has been acquired by Renwood Opportunities Fund, a partnership between Rosewood Private Investments and Renovo Capital, for a reported $16 million. The firm decided to shutter the under-performing store at 1414 University Avenue, but will keep the Telegraph Avenue, Shattuck Avenue, and Solano Avenue stores open. The 15-20 employees in the store have all been asked to reapply for jobs in the chain, according to a city official. There will be some layoffs, the manager said.
Andronico’s and A.G. Ferrari saved from the brink
After both declaring bankruptcy earlier this year, Andronico’s and A.G Ferrari have found a savior and look to be out of immediate crisis, according to Chronicle columnist Andrew Ross.
A.G. Ferrari, which was forced to close its Solano Avenue store in April after filing Chapter 11 is, as of Tuesday, officially out of bankruptcy. Danielle Caponi, A.G. Ferrari’s director of marketing, told Ross the stores are ordering new stock but, for a while, “it was touch-and-go”.
The Italian delicatessen chain, which was founded in San Jose in 1919, was bought by Renwood Opportunities Fund, a $50 million turnaround specialist in Seattle formed by Rosewood Private Investments and Renovo Capital. Former president of Whole Foods Market John Clougher will take over the reins as CEO.
Renwood is also poised to take over Andronico’s on Thursday for a reported $16 million. The 82-year old supermarket chain which was founded in Berkeley filed for bankruptcy in August listing debts of between $10 million and $50 million. Four of the seven existing Andronico’s stores are in Berkeley: on Telegraph, Shattuck, University and Solano. … Continue reading »
Andronico’s files for bankruptcy
Andronico’s Markets, the 82-year old supermarket chain founded in Berkeley, filed today for bankruptcy in Oakland. Four of the seven existing Andronico’s stores are in Berkeley: on Telegraph, Shattuck, University and Solano (the original store, founded in 1929).
Berkeleyside reported on the financial difficulties of the chain in May, and on a short-lived recapitalization plan.
The company’s announcement quotes CEO Bill Andronico today: “This is a bittersweet moment in our history. We have struggled mightily to keep … Continue reading »
Chez Panisse chef to open artisan butcher shop
Chez Panisse chef Aaron Rocchino and his wife Monica are bringing artisan meat to the heart of the Gourmet Ghetto with the opening this summer of The Local Butcher Shop on Cedar Street in the old Red Hanger Kleaners space.
“We think there’s a void in the market for restaurant-quality, sustainable meat for home customers,” said Monica Rocchino, who is setting up the new retail operation with her husband.
“It’s an idea whose time has come. I’m looking forward to having this shop in the neighborhood,” said Michael Pollan, who lives in north Berkeley and has done much to champion the consumption of responsibly sourced meat.
The butcher shop will feature whole animals sourced directly from farms, none of which are further than 150 miles from Berkeley. The emphasis will be on grass-fed, sustainably raised meat, and the butchering and cutting will be to order. … Continue reading »
Four Berkeley Andronico’s face difficult conditions
There are signs that Andronico’s, the local supermarket chain founded in Berkeley in 1929, faces some serious commercial problems. According to a recent report in the San Francisco Chronicle, a number of suppliers are having difficulties being paid. A commenter to Berkeleyside’s recent coverage on Monterey Market reported that two Andronico’s workers were talking about their pay checks being delayed.
Andronico’s has four stores in Berkeley: on Solano (the company’s original store), on Shattuck, on Telegraph, and on University. According to people familiar with the business, the Shattuck and Solano stores do significantly more business than the other two locations. … Continue reading »
In Berkeley: The search for the perfect eclair
By Jane Stillwater
Recently I met a doctor who told me, “The first thing that I do when I get a new patient is to take him entirely off gluten and dairy for a month. And chances are good that, if the patient takes my advice, whatever symptoms he has will improve.” I also read where autistic children do better without dairy products or gluten.
Okay. I’ve got digestive problems. I’ll try it. It works.
But … Continue reading »
Berkeley’s food meccas: The new religion
We couldn’t resist hoisting from the comments this reflection by EBGuy on food shopping as religion (prompted by today’s opening of Berkeley’s Trader Joe’s) :
I have a theory about Berkeley.* With organized religion on the decline, we look to food to provide a shared communal experience. Grocery stores are our cathedrals. Feel free to make your own list mapped to a different faith tradition:
Farmers’ Markets: outdoor tent revivalists. This is where the Food Fundamentalists go. Berkeley Bowl: non-denominational … Continue reading »
Police ask for ID help on Andronico’s robbery
The Berkeley Police Department is asking for the community’s help in identifying the above pictured suspect who is responsible for the robbery that took place at Andronico’s on 2655 Telegraph Avenue on Sunday, March 7.
At approximately 10:00 pm, an unidentified suspect entered Andronico’s, approached an employee, brandished a handgun and demanded cash. After the robbery, the suspect was last seen running west-bound on Carleton Street from Telegraph Avenue.
The suspect was described as follows: black male adult, mid-20s, … Continue reading »
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