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Creating a retail space that mirrored the upscale reputation of a legendary New York specialty food retailer as well as its new, elegant location—a circa 1896 landmark building—presented a delectable creative challenge.

The former New York Savings Bank, now home to Balducci’s flagship store, was built in grand style with ornate bronze details, marble walls, and soaring dimensions. The job of honoring that tradition while designing a food lover’s store suited to a 21st-century lifestyle fell to architect Hugh A. Boyd. Because of the building’s historic significance, no fixtures or lighting could be attached to existing walls or surfaces in the main hall. Boyd envisioned freestanding contemporary stainless-steel display fixtures to contrast with the building’s 18th-century ambiance and reinforce Balducci’s high level of food quality. The architect selected Southern Store Fixtures Inc. to manufacture the produce merchandiser, which included radiused refrigerated endcaps and shelving. Southern Store created custom dies and molds for the unique design.

Because space was limited, the width of the fixture could not exceed 5 ft. 6 in. It had to be built up, not out. “Every inch was important,” says Gene Cary, president of Southern Store Fixtures. To maximize vertical display space, Southern Store Fixtures incorporated two additional levels for non-refrigerated products. The focal point of the floor-level platform is a row of wicker baskets filled with fresh produce, creating a farmer’s market feel that harkens back to Balducci's roots as a fruit-and-vegetable stand.

The radiused refrigerated endcaps and shelves created the “wow” factor that the store required, Cary notes. To dramatically highlight the freshness and quality of the merchandise while providing lighting that couldn't come from ceiling fixtures, Southern Store Fixture worked with Boyd’s firm to incorporate overhead track lights, shelf lighting, and down lighting into the merchandiser. The radiused design was extended to a second produce island and a glass bakery case that displays breads and tempting pastries.