Hop-In to Montlake Blvd Market | Interview with Aaron Gepner

There have been many changes within Montlake Blvd Market aka the Hop-In; I recently chatted with Aaron Gepner, the store manager, about how the store has evolved and plans for the future.

LAS: The full shelves are hard to miss when you enter Montlake Blvd Market, I love all the recent additions and changes I have seen at store since you took over as the store manager in June 2011. How many new items have you added? What do you look for in new products?

AG – Well, first of all thanks to you and others in and around Montlake neighborhood for all the support of this locally owned and independent grocery market. Since I joined we have added roughly 5,000 new items, bringing our total of grocery goods to 12,000 plus.

Our product selection has been heavily influenced by our loyal clientele base.  We encourage customer comments on any part of the store, especially when it comes to items they want see on our shelves.  They are the people that are buying them, so naturally that makes the most sense to accommodate their needs. The items we are adding are unique to a store our size. Just the other day someone called looking for lingonberry jam, we had it. She was ecstatic because our big boy competitors do not carry it. We really try to accommodate for not only the conventional consumer but also for higher end choices.  We have most of everything that you would find at the big stores and many of our new items added are niche, local, organic, independent fresh and small batch made.

LAS: I love the new additions of Thai Fusions Sauces, Uli’s Sausages and Seattle Cider – What are some other popular items that have been flying off the shelves?

AG: The Thai Fusions Peanut Sauce is amazing! Oh, where do I start? Some new additions over the past year that have been a success include High 5 Pies, Britt’s Pickles and Kimchi, Uncle Buds Peanuts, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Hot Cakes, Local Salt Water Taffy, Essential Baking Co (delivered every morning at 7), Rapa Nui Empanadas, Seastack Cheese – the list goes on and on. 

LAS: Tell me about other changes around the store.

AG: Another store area that has seen a nice makeover is our produce department, with an amazing selection, just recently added Rainier and Bing Cherries and Jumbo peaches.

The Beer and Wine department will blow you away.  Better selection and just as competitive as those other guys.

Our cold beverage selection could possibly be Seattle’s best.  Come in and check out our “Alley of Beverages” down aisle 8. Daily, we see customers stunned by the variety of choices.  A few staff favorites are Stumptown cold brew coffee with milk, Yerba Mate drinks, and the 50 plus glass bottle vintage style sodas.

In the Deli, the quality of the items, freshness, and selection has changed drastically.   I am fortunate to work with Max Gottlieb who has over 30 years’ experience in the food industry.  He has transformed the deli to a whole new level as of now and many other changes to come.  With the sandwiches, the secret is the fresh ingredients. All the produce used in the deli comes from our produce department. Additionally, we have seen an influx of catering orders the past couple of months.  Our popular chicken tenders and Max’s homemade ranch dipping sauce that compliments them well have been a big hit for parties and get-togethers.  Grab one of our menus next time you come in to the Market.

We are continually growing the store.  Some other areas that will be improving in the next year will be an expanded meat selection, more organic produce items, a better selection of “meal ready” options for those busy families, fresh refrigerated dog and cat food, blended smoothies and coffee shakes, expanded hardware and household item and whatever else our clientele suggests.  Anyone can speak up to either me or anyone on our team; we want to assist ours neighbors.  Customers can email Ryan and me via email: montlakemarket@gmail.com.  We try to be as accessible as possible.

LAS: What is a hidden treasure of the Market that you think more people should know about?

AG – I would say that a hidden treasure at the store is not anything that we sell.  The treasure is the people who work for me.  I can honestly say that everyone at Montlake Blvd. Market wants the best for each other, the store, and the customers’ products and experience. Trust me; it isn’t always that way in business.  We have set a new standard of customer service at the market, and we all execute that mindset.  We all have fun at the store and it is a great ‘work hard and have fun’ environment, just talk to the people who work here and you will understand what I’m saying.

I attribute a lot of the advancements in the store to 2 people in particular: Max, Deli Manager, and Ryan, Asst. Store Manager. Max is the reason you can get those treasures in the deli.  If you haven’t had one of our made to order sandwiches lately, try one!  I usually don’t even give him a specific sandwich order if I’m hungry.  I just tell him to surprise me.  The Flyin Hawaiian Sandwich will be the July sandwich of the month. It is crazy good. Ryan has been instrumental in advancing the product selection, media and advertising, along with all of our custom chalk signs around the Market.  He has a skillset that is far above an assistant manager role, and a great person to work with.

LAS: I heard a rumor that the market is considering wine tastings, are they still in the pipeline? What other products or events are in the works at Montlake?

AG – Yes, wine tasting and beer growlers are in the works.  The wine tastings will highlight winemakers and their product.  This will be an opportunity for people to try it before they buy it, and become educated on specific wines.  I envision this as being a weekly staple at the Market….maybe “Tuesday Night Tastings at the Market”?  Free wine, sounds good to me.

The beer growlers will be a chance for customers to purchase beer that you do not typically buy at a grocery store.  There are many local microbrews that do not bottle or can. A growler is a 64 oz. glass bottle that can be filled and chilled in your fridge to consume when you want, Ryan and I will only serve local brewers in the Seattle and Washington state region. No out of state beers because we love our state and the small businesses.

LAS: I have also noticed the Market’s increased community outreach. Is this a change from the past or something that has slowly been evolving? Many people may not be aware that the Market donated dinner for each of the Outreach Events that were hosted by Montlake Family Fitness and Montlake Community Center last summer. Would you share any other local events you have been involved in? Are you seeking to continue this community outreach?

AG – I am not sure about the community involvement in the past.  I do know that moving forward the Market is trying to be as active as possible.  A few events that we did contribute to and were involved in last year were the community yard sale, the 3 outreach events you mentioned for the construction of the outdoor fitness equipment and sport court at the playground, the 4th of July parade, a fundraiser for a school nearby, neighborhood park work parties, Halloween trick o’ treating, etc.

Recently, I made arrangements with NW Center to park one of their big blue trucks out back of our parking lot on every Saturday and Sunday.  They will be accepting donations for people in need.  More information is at the store.

As far as future projects and involvement, we are open to many ideas and are willing to assist when we can.

LAS: Ok, I must know, so be honest, how do you and the owners feel about everyone calling Montlake Blvd Market – the Hop-In?

AG: Honestly, from what I understand is that the owners wanted the store name to associate with the community when they did a slight remodel roughly 4 years ago.  Hence, Montlake Blvd Market.  Many people still call it “Hop In” because that is what it was named for 30 or so years.  That is perfectly fine with us; whatever it is to you – call it that! We don’t mind.

Many people do not realize that the store was one of the original Safeway stores in Seattle.  I actually plan on printing and displaying a very cool 1930’s photo of the original store.   It is remarkable to see that this Market has been here as long as it has serving the community.

I along with the staff at MBM look forward to serving you soon!

Montlake Blvd Market/ Hop-In
Monday – Friday 6 am – 12 am
Saturday 7 am – 12 am
Sunday 7 am – 11 pm