Executive Briefing
Why Jon & Vinny’s LA restaurant group just bought a tiny grocery chain
In the Instacart era, “we feel that the neighborhood grocery is going to become important again.”
By Dan Frommer on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 8:00 am
Hello and happy holidays! Quick reminder: The New Consumer gift memberships are available in annual and quarterly varieties. Makes a great stocking stuffer for grad students, portfolio-company founders, your CMO, or anyone who needs to know what’s next and/or get out of their bubble. I’d be happy to send a personal welcome greeting — let me know. Thanks!
Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo have attracted national recognition for their Los Angeles-based restaurant group by driving food and dining trends — their first place, Animal, was loud and meat-focused “dude food,” perfectly timed for the late-aughts bacon boom — and by partnering with rising chefs on new ventures, such as Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson’s acclaimed Kismet.
Now there’s something new in the mix: This fall, Shook and Dotolo acquired a tiny and beloved 10-year-old neighborhood grocery chainlet, Cookbook, from its founders, Marta Teegen and Robert Stelzner.
An interesting move. And perhaps a strategic one, as the Covid-19 pandemic rolls into its second year, dining rooms (or improvised parking lot patios) are closing again, and the lines between restaurants and grocery stores are further blurring.
The rest of this post is for paid members of The New Consumer.
Join for or .
Already a member? Sign in here.
Hi, I’m Dan Frommer and this is The New Consumer, where consumer operators, founders, and investors get the real read on what’s happening — original reporting, proprietary data, and sharp analysis you can take into your next meeting.
You’ll get my newsletter, read by leaders at Sweetgreen, David Protein, Forerunner, and L Catterton. Plus Consumer Trends, our research series cited by the Wall Street Journal, Axios, and WWD.
Not ready to join? Start with a free account.