Deli Shop Savourer | Esther Canisius

Entrepreneurs Johan and Monica Bénard from Savourer Delicatessen did not want a counter or glass display in their new store. Their desire was openness and accessibility and that they could move around freely in the store with their customers to give them personal advice and attention.

Savourer is French for "enjoying to the fullest" and that is exactly what Monica and Johan want for each and every customer. They wanted something special for the store and off course it had to be practical, but also beautiful! Just stacking cheese dummies was a no-go for the owners. “That’s what all other cheese stores do, so we do not want that", was their motivation. "Also a little bit of quirkiness fits us well, so we would like to see that reflected in our store.”

The design is open and accessible and when you enter the space you have a direct overview of the store. As a customer you are welcomed, advised and guided with your purchases. From the workspace in the back, the wooden slats offer a good view to the store space, while keeping the workbench out of sight. Activities such as wrapping a gift, grating cheese or burn nuts can be done there without disturbing the customers in the store. Multiple entries in the back with sliding doors provide for several possibilities to move around easily between the store, the kitchen, the cold store, and vice versa without compromising the space.

The antique cheese carrier on the ceiling and the dancing cheeses on the wall in the back are a nod the entrepreneurs wished for.