INSTEAD of postponing plans due to economic difficulties, a homegrown brand has found an opportunity to expand its business in the middle of the pandemic.

Lowcal Salad + Wraps unveiled on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 its latest expansion in the business called Lowcal Market located inside Century Plaza along Juana Osmeña St, Cebu City.

“Lowcal Market is an expanded brand of Lowcal Salad + Wraps. It’s a one-stop destination where you can shop, dine and chill. It has bigger space with a cozy, healthy cafe where you can safely dine and experience guiltless eating, with good vibes and of course food that’s easy on the pocket,” said Chingkay Omega-Floro, owner of Lowcal Market.

Floro said it was the positive market feedback on their flagship business Lowcal Salad + Wraps that drove her and her husband Mark Floro to create another brand—the Lowcal Market.

Lowcal Salad + Wrap, which started in 2018, now has four-owned and three franchised stores.

These branches are in Robinsons Cybergate, Robinsons Fuente and Robinsons Galleria in Cebu City; South Town Center in Talisay City; J Centre Mall in Mandaue City; JY Square in Lahug, Cebu City; and Island Central Mall in Mactan Island.

Chingkay said Lowcal Market offers an exciting menu that’s beyond the usual salad and wraps. This includes wheat crust pizza to pan grilled chops and pasta. The store offers several items for sale for healthy meals at home like pasta, olive oil, milk etc.

“While we would have wanted to feel the growth of a business under better circumstances and not during a pandemic, the past few months were an opportunity for us to expand because there was a surge of people wanting to eat healthier. Sometimes though, healthy food can be expensive. But we believe this is why we’ve felt the strong support because we offer delicious, affordable, healthy food,” said Chingkay.

Prior to opening Lowcal Market, the couple saw increased orders through food deliveries like Grab and Foodpanda last year as consumers were locked at homes and the interest of living a healthy lifestyle accelerated as a defense against illnesses, such as the Covid-19.

Despite the uncertainties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple is motivated to grow their business.

Two more Lowcal Salad + Wraps are opening soon, one in the city and another one in northern Cebu. (KOC)