New Store Design Award: Market at Global Village

Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY

Opened: September 2010
Gross Sales/Day: $1,500

The Market at Global Village is located in RIT's recently constructed Global Village complex and specializes in international foods, fair trade gift items, Pride of New York products and fresh produce. The Global Village itself is the product of a $57 million investment, a residential/commercial/educational/outdoor complex that provides upperclass students with a “global living experience” that prepares them to enter the global community and a culturally diverse work force.

The Market is just one of a series of retail services at Global Village that also includes a print center, post office, hair salon, art gallery, craft boutique and full-service restaurant (the Global Village Cantina and Grille). There's also a mixed us plaza offering year-round activities (including heated outdoor seating), a stage area, water feature and fire pit.

The Market itself carries an abundance of fresh produce, a wide variety of ethnic and natural foods, unique fair trade gift items and housewares. The locally produced Pride of New York products range from natural health and beauty aids to bottled hot sauces and even goat milk soap.

The store design was inspired by outdoor international marketplaces to evoke a worldly ambiance. It encompasses touches such as stained, stamped concrete floors and wood shelving and wall paneling of reclaimed lumber. The building is LEED certified.