Last updated on June 24th, 2024
Dallas, Texas-based Central Market is celebrating 20 years in Dallas and Plano with special events to mark the occasion. Plano opened its doors in February 2002 and Dallas-Lovers Lane opened four months later in June.
Both stores adopted their own personal vibe teaching daily cooking classes with local and celebrity chefs, hosting special seasonal in-store events and lending a hand when needed to local schools and nonprofit organizations.
Central Market celebrated with its customers by holding an anniversary ribbon-cutting ceremony with anniversary cake Nov. 2 at the Plano store. The grocer will also host free food and drinks Nov. 3. The food will featured smoked brisket prepared by chef Kent Rathbun. On Nov. 4, the store will hold a free tasting event with celebrity chef, Cat Cora, where each participant will receive an etched anniversary glass, $10 store coupon and canvas bag. Participants must register in advance at eventbrite.com/e/432022780767.
The Dallas-Lovers Lane store also hosted a special anniversary ribbon-cutting ceremony with free cake on Nov. 2. On Nov. 4, the Central Market store will host a free tasting event with Texas chefs, Stephan Pyles, Dean Fearing and Robert Del Grande. Customers must register at eventbrite.com/e/432001025697 to attend. Guests will also receive the anniversary glass, store coupon and bag.
During the tasting event, Pyles will be serving seared salmon with black bean roast banana mash and coconut serrano broth, Fearing will present maple cured beef tenderloin tacos and Del Grande will be dishing up wild Gulf shrimp with avocado remoulade, arugula salad and sweet corn buttermilk dressing.
“Dallas and Plano have always been sophisticated foodie communities with their own culture and notable food destinations. We were fortunate to be immediately embraced by life-long H-E-B customers, new customers, chefs and the entire foodie community when we opened our doors 20 years ago,” said Stephen Butt, president.
“Since 1994 when Central Market first opened its doors in Austin, it has been our goal to help customers enjoy living through a more fun, informed relationship with food – regardless of where they are on their food journey. We credit the success of both stores to the employees, who are some of the best in the industry, and also to our incredible customers, who we’ve joined on their food journey for the past 20 years.”
Since opening its doors in Dallas and Plano in 2002, Central Market estimates it has given more than $30 million combined to local nonprofits including schools, food banks, museums and cultural organizations, military families, local police and fire departments, as well as disaster relief services in the area.
Some beneficiaries of Central Market’s cash and in-kind gifts in these two communities include North Texas Food Bank, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Plano ISD Education Foundation, Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year, Plano Balloon Festival Inc., Dallas Symphony Association Young Strings, Minnie’s Food Pantry, United to Learn, City House Inc. and several others.
As Central Market celebrates this milestone occasion, it continues to look toward the future to bring the best food the world has to offer to Plano, Dallas and surrounding communities.
“For more than 28 years, Central Market has made a priority of introducing our customers to the newest and best products from around the globe,” Butt said. “Central Market has consistently been a catalyst for food innovation, and we are driven by the genuine, shared love of great food that reflects the character and flavors of the many diverse neighborhoods we serve across Texas. We look forward to continuing to serve the Plano and Dallas communities for many, many years to come.”
