Visiting Giant Eagle Market District
Last Friday, I flew to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to attend another book signing. This time, it was held at an amazing grocery store called Giant Eagle Market District in Robinson Township. Giant Eagle, the Pittsburgh-based retailer has been around for about 80 years. In 2006, working with a new concept, they opened their first two Market District stores, taking grocery into a whole new realm. Last year, the store I visited was opened and to put it simply, this market is a veritable retail wonderland. I was so impressed with how this mega-store looks, how it is run, and the variety and quality of what is offered.
I was joined by Robin Marino – CEO of MSLO, Ellen Deutsch – SVP of The Hain Celestial Group which manufactures Martha Stewart Clean, Katie Goldberg – MSLO Public Relations, sister Laura Plimpton and Eliad Laskin – my blog team. Please enjoy the first part of our visit to Pittsburgh.
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- This is Katie refilling her coffee cup for the flight.
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- Robin, Ellen, and Laura walking out to the plane
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- A view of the cockpit
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- Climbing aboard
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- Our very able pilots ready for takeoff
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- The flight from White Plains, NY to Pittsburgh PA was only 45 minutes! I wrote an entire magazine column on my Blackberry.
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- In-flight information
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- Flying over Philadelphia
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- The Pittsburgh skyline – this downtown triangular area is surrounded by the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers.
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- With 446 bridges, Pittsburgh is known as The City of Bridges.
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- The rolling hills of the Alleghenies
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- Giant Eagle Market District is just a short ride from Pittsburgh International Airport.
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- Up in the green room, we were presented with a lovely snack, including delicious fresh carrot juice from the juice bar downstairs.
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- Here I am being interviewed by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
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- A view of the produce area from above
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- Another interview on my way to the demonstration area
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- The line for the book signing was quite long.
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- I was introduced to the crowd by Giant Eagle executive Rob Borella.
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- The crowd was warm and inviting.
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- The local press was lined up.
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- A signer is provided for the hard of hearing.
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- The store has a wonderful demonstration station.
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- My favorite Le Pens for book signings – Sharpies for signing Martha Stewart Clean products
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- I was signing copies of my Homekeeping Handbook and my new Everyday Food Fresh Flavor Fast.
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- These were the first ladies in line – Kathy in orange and Sabrina in blue.
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- Signing the first of 533 books that day
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- Mary was the next in line – she brought a whole stack of books to be signed.
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- Cellphone paparazzi
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- Abigale in purple and Carol in turquoise
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- Nancy was next.
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- The fish department has an amazing assortment.
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- Michael Bond – Seafood Team Leader
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- Beautiful tarts in the bakery
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- Giant Eagle offers a large array of freshly prepared foods, including Asian food cart fare, with Gary at the ready.
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- There’s a very nice pizza station.
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- With many varieties of pizza
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- Trish and Neen at the coffee and juice bar
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- Freddy is the Floral Team Leader.
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- I was impressed with these heirloom tomatoes.
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- And these colossal artichokes
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- Giant Eagle even has a hydroponic table.
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- They grow beautiful heads of bib lettuce.
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- A display with Martha Stewart Clean products
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- Giant Eagle executives – Keri Brown and Brett Merrell
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- This is the olive oil bar with Jerzy, who has great knowledge of olive oil and vinegar.
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- I was happy to see someone purchasing the entire line!
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- Anina has vast knowledge of cheese and charcuterie.
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- Real pickle barrels!
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- Yum!
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- A cheese aging case
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- They sell hundreds of varieties of cheese.
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- The meat department offers dry-aged beef.
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- And many other varieties of meats
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- Dennis and Derrick – very friendly and knowledgeable butchers
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- I was stunned to see that they even offer fresh rattlesnake and boneless python filets.
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- The sweet shop is a popular department.
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- Sherri busy icing
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- The gelatos and sorbets are yummy.
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- A very comprehensive health and wellness center
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- A very busy pharmacy with a drive-up window
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- Tickets for this event were sold out.
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- Judi Connolly presented me with delicious pierogi and stuffed cabbage from Pierogi Plus.
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- Anina – Cheese Team Leader – offered samples of cheese.
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- Another Martha Stewart Clean display
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- Keira Hightower – General Merchandise Team Leader
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- Keira runs the housewares department.
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- They even bake wedding cakes here!
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- Autographing a bottle of glass & mirror cleaner
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- My sister, Laura with the very gracious Maria Hnarakis – HR Training Specialist
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- After the book signing, I was so happy to walk through the fantastic Giant Eagle Market District.
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