Being in the Right Place at the Bi-Rite Time

Photo by p200Eric via Flickr

Imagine you just started producing a brand new artisan barbecue sauce. You have no customers, let alone any stores that carry it. What would be your ultimate fantasy scenario for being “discovered?” Maybe it would go a little something like this…

You get invited by a friend to sell your sauce at something called the New Taste Market. It’s held once a month in a church on Potrero Hill, and features a collection of local food producers.

A buyer named Alli from Bi-Rite Market, considered San Francisco’s premier neighborhood grocery store, happens to be there and tries your sauce. She loves it, and invites you to bring some by the store for the rest of the staff to taste. You do. They love it.

Before you know it, it’s not only on the shelves, but they’ve put a sign next to it to promote it for you! Yep, that sure would be like the dream scenario. Well, that’s what happened! That’s exactly how SFQ made it into it’s first store, and we’ve been riding that wave of good fortune ever since.

One of the great things about Bi-Rite, besides the amazing selection, is the incredibly knowledgeable and passionate staff. They really take pride in learning about each product, how it’s made, as well as how it’s best enjoyed.

It’s been a great relationship, and one that continues to flourish to this day. So, thanks again to Alli, Sam the owner, and the rest of their incredible staff. Remember, dreams do come true…sometimes literally.

Please enjoy this beautiful video, which was shot to promote Bi-Rite’s cookbook, Eat Good Food. It does a way better job than I ever could of explaining why Bi-Rite is such a unique and special place. Enjoy!