Meet Barry Fisher
Barry, along with his wife Kathy, own GROW in Manhattan Beach and Downtown Los Angeles. They specialize in farm-fresh produce, artisan cheeses, prepared meals, meat, fish & other gourmet groceries at their mom-&-pop markets. They have been a sponsor of the Manhattan Beach 10k since they opened their doors in 2006. Each year our racers make a beeline to the expo to grab handfuls of their refreshing grapes!
Our Q & A With Barry
Your produce shop GROW in Manhattan Beach opened in 2006, please tell us how you got your start.
It began with the need for a boogie board. Our son sold fruit in front of our home to raise money for a boogie board. We sourced fruit from growers whose fruit I export to Asia. Our neighbors appreciated the quality and began leaving notes in our mail box with cherry orders for my son. This is how we got the idea to open GROW.
Being from the Central Valley, how did you choose to settle in Manhattan Beach?
A good friend recommended Manhattan Beach when I was moving to a new company based at LAX. The weather was picture perfect the day we arrived to look at homes. We fell in love with Manhattan Beach and did not look at any other communities. To this day we know we made the right choice.
You recently opened a second location in Downtown L.A., how does this location differ from your Manhattan Beach spot?
The biggest difference is each shop’s customer base. South Bay customers are typically families while DTLA is generally single people. We took the Manhattan Beach model to DTLA and quickly learned we needed to make some dramatic changes for GROW to meet the needs of our new customers. The prepared department, grocery and alcohol departments are the sales base for DTLA while produce, grocery and meat/fish are in MB.
What do your markets specialize in?
GROW specializes in fresh produce, prepared meals, meat, fish, select groceries and artisan cheeses.
Why should people shop at GROW vs other markets?
That is a great question. I think the best way to answer this is from what customers tell me:
- "You have the best produce and my kids eat more of it because it tastes so good."
- "I trust the items in your store as I feel you take the time and care to insure they are good to eat and my family will enjoy them."
- "I have a hard time eating a filet at any restaurant since I can prepare yours better at home."
- "GROW is a local business who supports our community more than any other grocery store in Manhattan Beach."
- "I love that I can park my car right by the door, be in and out in less than 5 minutes with a great meal. I love the convenience."
- "Your morning delivery is perfect. I can order by midnight and everything is on my doorstep by 7:00 am the next morning. And you pick better produce than I can!"
- "I am a member of these cults: GROW salsa, GROW guacamole, GROW chicken noodle soup, GROW pork chops, GROW cherries."
You sponsor many South Bay schools and charities. What inspires you to give back to the community in this way?
We live here. This is our community and we care about our schools. Our children were taught from Grand View to MBMS then Costa. We feel the schools in our community are the foundation of Manhattan Beach and deserve our support.
Now that we are in the midst of summer, what’s your favorite produce for this season?
It changes every week! Most people will see “plum” or “yellow peach” at a typical grocery store. What many people who do not shop GROW don’t realize is there are so many varieties of pluots, peaches, nectarines, plums and grapes. We educate our customers about the differences. On stone fruit, they change about every 10 days or so. Understanding this, my taste jumps around each week. Today, I like the Red Phoenix pluot. In about 10 days, we are going to have my favorite plum of the year- the Emerald Beaut. What is great, customers have been asking for the Emeralds for over a month - they know what good fruit is.
How long have you been a sponsor of the Manhattan Beach 10k?
We opened Sept 19, 2006. We were at the MB 10k two weeks later cutting oranges. I remember that day perfectly as I was cutting oranges until my left hand was numb. Runners are excited to see us at the finish line year after year!
How did you first get involved with the race?
Our friends at Village Runner recommended we participate. So glad they reached out to us. This is the longest partnership we have had with a community event.
What can participants expect to see at your booth this year?
The same as the past two years- Pristine and Sweet Scarlet grapes. Last year’s runners searched us out because of the great flavor and CRUNCH. We love seeing people take a bunch then come back, then back, then back, then in the shop asking, “Where is that grape I had at the MB10k?”
What do you most love about the race?
Seeing our friends, neighbors and GROW customers after the race. Love to hear shout outs from runners saying nice things about the shop and our great staff. But what we really love is that we feel we are part of the community.
A Special Treat For You
Barry and Kathy have generously offered a double discount to our race participants! After you pick up your race bib from Village Runner, MB in October, take a few steps to your left and visit GROW for your food shopping. They will give you 10% off before the race and 10% off after the race when you show them your bib.
GROW South Bay
1830 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.545.2904
Hours:
9am-8pm, Mon-Fri
8am-8pm, Sat
8am-7pm, Sun
Don't Miss Out On Our Registration Deal
Early Registration is going on now through September 24, 2018.
PRICING THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24:
$30 Youth (14 & under)
$35 Adults
Please Note!
Online registration is open NOW at www.mb10k.com and ends October 1, 2018 at 11:59 p.m.
In-store registration opens September 1 at Village Runner, Manhattan Beach and ends October 5, 2018.
THE MB10K IS A NON-PROFIT EVENT AND THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO COMMUNITY FITNESS-RELATED CAUSES AND SCHOLARSHIPS. THE RACE COMMITTEE ORGANIZERS AND RACE STAFF ARE VOLUNTEERS.
Come celebrate the 41st running of the MB10k and run or walk - October 6, 2018 at 7:30am!
We'll see you at the starting line!
