Denver-Based Choice Market Expands Along the Front Range

Six months after debuting in downtown Denver, Choice Market has new investors and plans to expand along the Front Range before going national. The modern food store that sells local products and made-to-order meals will open a second shop early next year in the new Denver Housing Authority headquarters at 10th Avenue and Osage Street.

“Affordable housing and availability of fresh food has long been an issue for many Denver communities,” said Choice Market founder and CEO Mike Fogarty. “Our vision for Choice has always been to curate a product selection based on the needs of the neighborhoods we serve and allow our customers to dictate what goes on the shelf, not vice versa.”

Mariposa will be the first stop for Choice Market’s expansion, with at least three more stores planned along the Front Range, Fogarty said. He’s also eyeing the Midwest and Pacific Northwest for markets in need of healthy groceries and prepared foods inside traditional convenience store settings. To handle the growth, Fogarty sold a minority stake in Choice Market to M3 Ventures. Based in New York, the venture capital firm also owns a share of brands such as Guideboat apparel and Ramona canned wine spritzers.

Choice Market opened its first location last fall at 1770 North Broadway. The store sells organic and locally sourced groceries, such as Elevation Meats and Rosenberg’s Bagels, and meals from curry noodle bowls to breakfast tortas. Customers can also find beer and kombucha on tap and fresh-brewed Curvus coffee.

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