Now Open: Northside Grocer Has Brought Fancy Provisions and Chef-Prepared Meals with a Social Edge to Preston
You'll find a selection of local and international goods, alongside ready-made meals that soar above the usual fare.
Preston has been on the up for several years now, and as a sign of the times, the recently opened Northside Grocer has the provisions locals need. From fancy jams and pickled goods to epicurean cheeses, this High Street hub has effortlessly slotted into the community in more ways than one. Led by chef Greg Snelders (France-Soir) and his partner Emma Thomson, there's a host of locally produced and imported goods ready to level up your next get-together or at-home feast.
Decked out with goods gathered from far and wide, visitors can expect jams from Jam Haus, pickles from Acide, cheeses from Milawa and chilli oil from Six-Eyed Scorpion. Plus, other products go beyond the pantry, from fresh flowers and greeting cards to crunchy sourdough bread ready to be sliced and spread. However, perhaps the main focus of Northside Grocer is its ready-made meals, prepared in-house on the daily by Snelders.
While it'd be nice to have the time to toil over each and every meal, life often gets in the way. Instead, Northside Grocer offers a range of gastronomic creations, from Freddy's Lasagne – featuring slow-braised beef bolognese and house-made tomato sugo – to massaman beef curry, chargrilled harissa free-range chicken, and Thai chicken satay skewers. Available in single or family-sized servings, there's no excuse not to eat well.
"The community have been so welcoming and so ready for an offering like ours, the feedback has been wonderful and we're so chuffed to now call lots of customers 'regulars' and even friends," says Thomson.
Yet these ready-made meals aren't just aimed at Prestonians or even those in the inner north. Northside Grocer delivers to over 450 suburbs across Victoria, with a recently expanded menu supporting Home Care Package (HCP) recipients. That means older people with complex needs can access delicious, carefully produced meals for a fraction of the total cost.
With Mother's Day around the corner, Snelders and Thomson are also gearing up with a limited-run hamper filled with gourmet wares. Expect a curated selection of the Grocer's goods presented thoughtfully with a card designed by Melbourne-based artist and gifting aficionado, The Nonsense Maker. You'll also find vibrant blooms from micro flower farm, The Posy Yard, alongside cakes and chocolates from Monsieur Truffe.
Northside Grocer is open Tuesday–Friday from 8am–6pm and Saturday from 8am–3pm at 106 High Street, Preston. Head to the website for more information.
Images: Caitlin May.
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