Denver-based Choice Market and Health Hospitality Partners (HHP), based in St. Louis, will bring the first retail market in a healthcare setting to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The mini-market and specialty kitchen will be geared toward on-the-go healthcare workers, students, faculty, and staff.
“We couldn’t be more excited to announce this partnership with HHP and CU Anschutz,” said Mike Fogarty, founder and CEO of Choice. “At Choice, we firmly believe that food is medicine, and this innovative format will provide doctors, nurses, students, patients and families with 24/7 access to high-quality and nutritious options. This is truly a game-changer in the healthcare hospitality sector.”
The unique concept, Mini-Mart, will be launched at CU Anschutz in the second quarter of 2022. The new format will feature Choice Now, a technology that uses artificial intelligence and cameras to check out customers without the need for a cashier and offer consumers high-quality prepared food, natural groceries and everyday necessities.
Mini-Mart was designed for non-traditional retail spaces such as hospitals, airports, and campuses, and is driven by the expertise of both partners in food, tech, and hospitality. HHP and Choice have plans to expand the concept nationally.
Behind the scenes, the team at HHP worked closely with leadership at Choice and CU Anschutz to bridge the gap between healthcare administrators and retail brands, bringing the types of consumer experiences and offerings people expect in their daily lives.
“As we have forged ahead during the COVID-19 pandemic to fulfill our mission to bring hospitality to healthcare, Choice has separated itself from the pack of cutting-edge retailers who provide delicious, nutritious and affordable offerings for stakeholders throughout the healthcare ecosystem,” said Cory Sullivan, COO at Health Hospitality Partners. “We are looking forward to announcing additional locations around the country with this partnership in the year ahead.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Choice and HHP to provide the thousands of hard-working healthcare professionals on our campus with nutritious dining options they deserve, especially after giving their all throughout the pandemic” said Jay Campbell, associate vice chancellor of Facilities Management and Planning at CU Anschutz. “We’re excited, too, to help establish a blueprint to be modeled on medical campuses nationwide.”
