What you need to know about Dilworth’s newest grocer: Fresh Market

The store is slated to open November 11. What do you need to know before you stop in? Here’s a primer.

What makes Fresh Market different than other grocery stores?

Greensboro-based Fresh Market’s stores are slightly smaller than your average grocery store — think more like Trader Joe’s than Harris Teeter. Unlike Trader Joe’s, the grocer focuses more on fresh items such as produce, meats, deli specialties and baked goods than packaged items. (They have been increasing their privately sourced Fresh Market-branded items.) The ambience also leans toward upscale, with dim lighting and classical music playing overhead.

Is everything really expensive?

No. While you can definitely rack up a big bill if you’re not careful, you can also snag some good deals if you know how to shop Fresh Market right. Like other supermarkets, they offer weekly specials, but the best deals usually come on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Fresh Market fans will recognize Tuesday as the day the grocer promotes items for $2.99. The items rotate each month, but almost always include chicken breasts and ground chuck for $2.99 per pound. The ground chuck price is particularly hard to beat — it’s lower than even the sale price most discounters offer. The antibiotic-free chicken is also a good price for its quality. This is stock-up day.

Saturday deals are similar but with different items at a $6.99 price point. Watch for the good deals on fish. Items change every month.

Is everything organic?

No. Fresh Market’s emphasis is on fresh products. You can find organic products, but make sure to read the labels since much of the produce is conventional. I’d still put Fresh Market’s produce against just about any other grocer though. Try their honey crisp apples when they’re in season — and the artichokes.

What are some of the best items?

Fresh Market shines during special occasions. The stores have open baskets of seasonal items such as candy and toys during the winter holidays. You’ll also find different The Fresh Market-branded coffee blends depending on the time of year.

Other recommendations:

The little spice packets are so helpful when you only need a tiny bit for a recipe.

Bulk food bins: Choose just the right amount of almonds, sunflower seeds and granola. Or gummy worms if you’re my 5-year-old. No judgment.

Hosting friends for a Panthers game? Fresh Market’s chicken salad and spinach artichoke dip are both very good. Don’t forget the croissants.

Running late to a party or other event that requires you to bring food? The baked goods section is always on point. Pumpkin whoopee pies? Check. Macaroons? Check. More kinds of pound cake than reasonable? Check. Seriously, check it out.

Fresh Market offers good package deals for occasions like Valentine’s Day and Thanksgiving if you want to give a good impression without putting in quite as much elbow grease.

What should I buy somewhere else?

Packaged goods aren’t Fresh Market’s strong suit. If you’re looking for three different kinds of Cheerios, this isn’t the place to make that purchase. You can find the basics if you need to grab some taco shells and seasoning to go with your $2.99 ground chuck, but you won’t find dozens of options like at Harris Teeter. Craft beer and wine is relatively limited here.

Fresh Market also has a Thursday deal offer called “Little Big Meal” aimed at busy families that usually goes for $20. Unlike Tuesday and Saturday offers, I’ve never found this one to be a particularly good value. For that money, I’ll take my DragonFly Chinese food to go.