Gordon Food Service - Marketplace Stores

Marketplace Stores

Started at the GFS warehouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the first "cash and carry" was a way for local restaurants to replenish their stock between deliveries. As these stores expanded, they all were first located in industrial areas with very little emphasis on the "retail look." As the stores became more popular, GFS Marketplace stores started to emerge on busy streets and strip malls; not only to put them in the public eye, but also to be more convenient for customers. The Marketplace stores developed into a Warehouse club that does not require membership to purchase bulk products. In 2003, Gordon Food Service purchased 7 retail locations and a distribution network from a similar retailer called Smart & Final. They now have 130 locations along the eastern half of the US. Each store is between 15,000-25,000 sq ft.