Choice Market announced it has raised additional money through a funding round, bringing its total funds raised to $10 million. This additional investment by Denver Angels, Kimco Realty, Jogan Health and other private investors will allow the company to expand its network of small format markets, including its AI-powered, fully autonomous Mini-Mart format. The company also is bringing on four new hires to join the team at Choice Market.
“The Choice Market team is proud of our rapid growth this past year powered by our commitment to provide fresh and healthy food to the Colorado community and beyond,” said Mike Fogarty, Choice Market’s founder and CEO. “We are thrilled to expand our innovative grocery model and reach even more consumers with high-quality groceries and fresh meals in a convenient manner.”
Given the success of its first fully cashier-less Mini-Mart launched at The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in October 2022, Choice plans to rapidly scale this format nationally through strategic partnerships with leading hospitals, apartment developers, venues, airports, EV charging stations and college campuses.
"We believe in the mission of Choice Market and see an abundance of opportunities for their various store formats. The Mini-Mart concept is particularly scalable and ripe with innovation. When we started looking at Choice Market, we realized we were uniquely equipped to provide value with several Denver Angels members having significant expertise and infrastructure in the industries that Choice Market touches,” said David Prichard, CEO of Denver Angels.
“Choice’s commitment to providing shoppers with locally sourced groceries and fresh meals is a mission that is perfectly aligned with Jogan,” said Dan Dietrich, CEO of Jogan Health. “Our investment in Choice Market is undeniable proof that Jogan, once a staffing-centric company, is now looking to improve the wellness of the community at large.”
Choice Market has also announced the onboarding of four new employees: Amanda Dentici as chief operating officer, Merlin Verrier as senior director of culinary operations, Dennis Apreza as senior director of retail operations and Peter Haslam as controller. These four new senior leaders have a combined 80 years of experience in the grocery and food and beverage sectors, according to Choice Market.
“Amanda, Merlin, Dennis and Peter are all remarkable leaders who have been responsible for the success of leading operators such as Fairway Markets, Walgreens, The Kitchen Restaurant Group and Graham Elliot’s Michelin star rated restaurant,” said Fogarty. “Their deep experience in all aspects of food and beverage and passion for innovation will help take this company to the next level.”
Choice Market, with three other Denver locations, is guided by its corporate commitment to provide shoppers with locally sourced groceries, vegan choices and grab-and-go meals. NACS featured a Choice Market store in downtown Denver that’s located in a 350-unit apartment complex for an Ideas 2 Go segment in 2019.