Sacramento, Calif.-based specialty grocery chain Nugget Markets celebrated the grand opening of its Elk Grove location last Wednesday. The 54,000-square-foot store offers high-quality perishables in a European-marketplace setting and is the ninth location in the greater Sacramento area.

Family-owned and operated since 1926, Nugget's stores are known for blending low-priced staple groceries with the finest conventional and organic produce and meats. Shoppers will discover handcrafted ready-to-cook sausages and entrées, and convenient chef-prepared meals-to-go, as well as a huge variety of organic and fair-trade-certified specialty items. The Elk Grove store also features one of the state's largest selections of wines, beers and spirits -- including numerous local wines.

"We may offer items from around the world, but we also carry regional products throughout the store at the lowest possible prices," said store director Dave Wilson. Echoing Wilson's sentiments, executive chef Rachael Levine commented on Nugget's fully scratch-made foods program: "It's about creating real food with true flavors, often from organic and locally grown ingredients. Everything is fresh."

Those who bring their appetites will always be in for a treat, since the store has a professional-chef-led kitchen & deli, authentic Asian kitchen, artisan bakery & patisserie, and an extensive coffee & juice bar (not to mention Italian-style gelato). Additionally, on-site specialists will be available to answer questions, including a healthy living expert, wine stewards and cheese specialists.

Earlier this year, Nugget Market, Inc. was named No. 12 in the nation on FORTUNE magazine's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list. More than 6,500 talented people applied to the Elk Grove location, and Nugget hired the majority of its 170-member team directly from the surrounding community.

"We're grateful for the overwhelming response," Nugget president/CEO Eric Stille said. "Our associates are enthusiastic to serve all of our new Elk Grove neighbors."