Could this supermarket be the next big thing? 'It might be better' than the LA original
- Replies 0
A supermarket has recently sparked some major comparisons to a high-end boutique store in Los Angeles, and it’s got everyone talking.
What started as a humble market has now turned into a destination that has people questioning if it’s time to rethink the Australian grocery scene.
But is it really the next big thing, or just another trend?
The Boatshed Market in Perth, which started as a boat-building facility in 1988, has drawn comparisons to the popular Erewhon supermarket in Los Angeles.
Mils, known on social media as @wholesome.mils, referred to the market as the ‘Erewhon of Australia’—with a twist.
‘Except, I think it might be better,’ she declared.
Erewhon is famed for its hot food bar and its ‘Hailey Bieber’ smoothie.
Mils described Erewhon as the ‘bougiest’ supermarket, noting that the Boatshed Market was the closest thing she had encountered to it.
‘They even have a hot counter, just like Erewhon,’ she said.
‘They rotate the menu every single day.’
This comparison wasn’t unique to Mils.
Oscar Palandri, a local, remarked that people ‘hadn’t lived’ unless they’d visited the Boatshed Market, adding that the fruit and vegetables were a big draw.
He also highlighted the fishmonger, bakery, hot food selection, and cheese range as key attractions.
Co-owner Craig Skead, who moved from South Africa to Australia in 2000, was taken with the market’s potential from the beginning.
Back then, it was a community-run grower’s market, but Skead saw its promise.
‘I said to my wife, “I think this is the one I want to own,’’’ he said.
Skead and co-owner Michael Pember decided to modernise the market.
He shared that they visited American supermarkets, which were more advanced, to gather ideas for the Boatshed Market.
Today, the market boasts a wide variety of fresh produce, health drinks, meats, cheeses, and a hot food counter—all under one roof.
Skead noted that the success of the market could be attributed to the talented staff, saying: ‘What you see at the Boatshed—it doesn’t really come from me. We have a team of 170 people.’
In 2017, the market expanded with the opening of the Wine Loft.
Now, Skead revealed that the market was preparing to launch a Japanese restaurant within the month.
This project, which had been in the works since 2018, was almost ready to open.
‘We’re about three weeks away from opening,’ he said.
Skead emphasised the market’s commitment to sourcing fresh, local produce, particularly from Western Australia, except for salmon and oysters.
He also mentioned that international items like UK chocolates could be found on the shelves.
Watch @wholesome.mils’s video below.
Do you think it could be Australia’s answer to Erewhon? Is it just the latest trend in the world of upscale supermarkets? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
What started as a humble market has now turned into a destination that has people questioning if it’s time to rethink the Australian grocery scene.
But is it really the next big thing, or just another trend?
The Boatshed Market in Perth, which started as a boat-building facility in 1988, has drawn comparisons to the popular Erewhon supermarket in Los Angeles.
Mils, known on social media as @wholesome.mils, referred to the market as the ‘Erewhon of Australia’—with a twist.
‘Except, I think it might be better,’ she declared.
Erewhon is famed for its hot food bar and its ‘Hailey Bieber’ smoothie.
Mils described Erewhon as the ‘bougiest’ supermarket, noting that the Boatshed Market was the closest thing she had encountered to it.
‘They even have a hot counter, just like Erewhon,’ she said.
‘They rotate the menu every single day.’
This comparison wasn’t unique to Mils.
Oscar Palandri, a local, remarked that people ‘hadn’t lived’ unless they’d visited the Boatshed Market, adding that the fruit and vegetables were a big draw.
He also highlighted the fishmonger, bakery, hot food selection, and cheese range as key attractions.
Co-owner Craig Skead, who moved from South Africa to Australia in 2000, was taken with the market’s potential from the beginning.
Back then, it was a community-run grower’s market, but Skead saw its promise.
‘I said to my wife, “I think this is the one I want to own,’’’ he said.
Skead and co-owner Michael Pember decided to modernise the market.
He shared that they visited American supermarkets, which were more advanced, to gather ideas for the Boatshed Market.
Today, the market boasts a wide variety of fresh produce, health drinks, meats, cheeses, and a hot food counter—all under one roof.
Skead noted that the success of the market could be attributed to the talented staff, saying: ‘What you see at the Boatshed—it doesn’t really come from me. We have a team of 170 people.’
In 2017, the market expanded with the opening of the Wine Loft.
Now, Skead revealed that the market was preparing to launch a Japanese restaurant within the month.
This project, which had been in the works since 2018, was almost ready to open.
‘We’re about three weeks away from opening,’ he said.
Skead emphasised the market’s commitment to sourcing fresh, local produce, particularly from Western Australia, except for salmon and oysters.
He also mentioned that international items like UK chocolates could be found on the shelves.
Watch @wholesome.mils’s video below.
Do you think it could be Australia’s answer to Erewhon? Is it just the latest trend in the world of upscale supermarkets? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
