Small Town - Big Party - Great Time!

Twas a few weeks before Christmas and all though the store 

customers were sampling foods that they soon would adore...

Radermacher's have been part of the Jordan, Minnesota community since 1954 when Roman Radermacher bought the Red Owl Agency store on Water Street.  Eventually the store moved to it's current location at 500 West 2nd Street in 1981.  Throughout the next three decades the family business continued to grow and partner with major grocery chain Cub Foods.  In 2006 the family started rebranding their company and the next year the Radermacher's officially changed the name of their company to Radermacher's Fresh Market. They wanted to reflect the cornerstone of what has been a family tradition; providing customers the freshest products in produce, meat, deli, and their bakery.  Their goal is to serve our customers "better than anyone else can."

On December 7, 2011 the Jordan store hosted their annual Holiday Open House.  The event draws people of all ages to sample wonderful flavors of the holidays. As you made your way around the stores there was no shortage of wonderful food to try, all which can be found at Radermacher' Fresh Market.  According to grocery manager Chris Thom, "we had about 2,500 people in the store for the holiday open house."

Lexi and Miss Jordan Ali Paul

Guests were welcomed by Miss Jordan Ali Pauly and her princesses Lexi Johnson and & Trisha Laabs.

You almost forgot the chilly temperature outside when you saw the produce department's tropical display of  pineapples and pomegranates in the shape of a Christmas tree.  Pomegranates can often be avoided because of their reputation for being hard to prepare.  Radermacher's and their produce supplier, H.Brooks & Company, brought in the perfect tool to assist with removing the arils in a pomegranate-the 60 Second Pomegranate Deseeder by Seed Out!.  This tool is a great idea for anyone who loves pomegranate.  Pomegranates are a super food high in vitamin C and potassium, a great source of fiber, and low in calories. The high level of antioxidants are credited with helping in the prevention of cancer and heart disease. (Pomegranate Council, 2011).

As visitors made their way to the meat department the aroma of freshly cooked ham and Radermacher's Signature Smoked Brisket filled the air. Both meats were perfectly cooked and made you want to have your holiday dinner right there.  In addition to the carving station, you could try a variety of appetizer that would make any Minnesotan proud; smoked salmon, herring, a quick liver pate, lefse with lingonberry jam, and pickle roll up dip.

Signature Smoked Chicken Pasta Salad

Everything I tried I enjoyed and would serve at any party I had.  I would have to say my favorite part of the store was the deli department--hey, they have cheese and I love cheese.  Before I even got to the cheese I sampled the Signature Smoked Chicken Pasta Salad.  It is available year round in the deli.  The secret, I found out, is they use their rotisserie chicken.  After my Signature Smoked Chicken Pasta Salad a Christmas tree of olives (another favorite deli item of mine) awaited me.Though you could not sample from the tree they did have olives for you to sample.  I definitely will be using this idea at one of my events. Olives were provided by Dellalo Olives.  

The reason for the deli visit was the cheese and I did not need to wait any longer, it was time!  Brie cheese is a popular cheese throughout the year.  I am always looking for new ways to serve my brie to guests; thanks to Radermacher's I have a new way - Parmesan Encrusted Brie.

Eichten Hidden Acre Cheese samples were available.  Eichten's is a local farm in Center City, Minnesota that has been producing all natural artisan cheese since 1977.

Tomato Basil Gouda, Smoked Gouda, Tilsit, Chipotle Pepper Gouda

Wild Rice Gouda           Smoked Gouda               Tilsit

The bakery also enticed guests with fabulous desserts including fresh baked gourmet cookies, Napoleon dessert, applesauce bars, and Radermacher's berry or cream filled cakes.  I had to resist putting the tray of applesauce bars in my purse because they would be the perfect treat on a cold day with a hot up of cider. 

Applesauce Bars

The various departments were not the only ones serving great holiday ideas, the aisle were full of people sampling pizza, lasagna, ice cream and much more.  The staff also walked around with samples of Sweet Chex Mix, Virginia Peanuts, cheese, breads and desserts. Everywhere you turned there was something new to try. If you left hungry it would have been your own fault. 

No holiday party is complete without Santa.  He was there getting everyone's Christmas list. After visiting Santa everyone got a candy cane.  I made sure to give him my list too

In addition to tasting the wonderful food and beverages Radermacher's had to offer, guests could partake in horse and wagon rides, visiting with Santa, and making Rudolph cupcakes.

These cupcakes would be an easy activity for any age.

Save time and stress by purchasing cupcakes frosted with chocolate frosting from the bakery department.

For each reindeer, carefully snap two pretzels into antler shapes and press them into a chocolate frosted cupcake.  Add 2 white chocolate chips for the eyes; dot each one with black gel frosting.  Use 1 cinnamon candy for the nose. (You could also use a red M&M) and enjoy!

Radermacher's goal to serve their customers "better than anyone else can" and their Holiday Open House is just one example of that goal.  From the moment I walked in the door I and was greeted by a young man on his way out to help someone outside (he had his coat on so I didn't see his name) to the time I checked out with Kelly at register #1 I felt like I was a customer who shopped there every week.  

...With the parking lot full and more folks appear

Thank you to Radermacher's their holiday cheer!