Now you don't even have to get out of your car at Central Market to shop at Central Market. The gourmet grocer will roll out its long-awaited curbside service on Feb. 15, offering customers the opportunity to shop there without ever having to step inside.
This is how it works: Place your order online at centralmarket.com/shop, then schedule a pickup time. The pickup area is on the east side of the store (you can't miss the big sign that says "Curbside"). Park in a designated parking space, then text the number listed on the parking stall sign, and soon a CM employee will load your groceries into your vehicle.
Let's say you're super-particular about your avocados. Maybe you want some that are ripe right now and maybe you want some that'll be ripe in a few days. You can specify preferences in a notes box in the online ordering form.
Most items in the store are available for curbside pickup, including all food products, beer and wine, housewares and beauty products.
Orders must be placed at least four hours in advance. No minimum order is required, but there is a pickup fee of $4.95, plus a 3 percent personal shopping fee. The pickup fee for your first four deliveries will be waived, according to a CM rep.
Orders can be placed anytime, up to seven days in advance. Pickup times are between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
This is the first Central Market in Texas to launch curbside service, although several Texas H-E-B stores offer it (H-E-B is CM's parent company). Over the next year, curbside service will be added to CM stores in Dallas, Houston, Plano and Austin.