A Modern Refrigeration Solution for a Neighborhood-Focused Market

When Gelson’s set out to open its Toluca Lake location, the vision was clear: deliver the brand’s signature quality and elevated shopping experience in a smaller, neighborhood-centric footprint. Located at the corner of Riverside Drive and Mariota Avenue, this 10,000-square-foot “pocket” market sits beneath 37 residential apartments, making system efficiency, noise control, and spatial coordination critical from day one.

Classic Refrigeration partnered with Gelson’s to engineer and install a compact yet robust refrigeration and HVAC system capable of supporting a diverse mix of fresh foods, prepared meals, specialty departments, and service areas; all within a tight urban site and mixed-use environment.

Engineering for Performance in a Limited Footprint

Small-format grocery stores demand precision. With less back-of-house space and a wide variety of temperature-sensitive offerings—from produce and floral to wine, ice cream, and hot food — every component had to work seamlessly together.

Classic designed a CO₂ refrigeration system tailored to the store’s layout and product mix, providing consistent temperature control across reach-in cases, produce racks, service islands, and specialty displays. The system was carefully coordinated with rooftop and in-store equipment to minimize noise, maximize efficiency, and maintain reliability for both the store and the residences above.

Advanced EMS controls allow Gelson’s team to monitor and manage system performance in real time, ensuring optimal operation while supporting energy efficiency goals.

Supporting an Elevated In-Store Experience

Beyond refrigeration performance, this project required thoughtful integration with Gelson’s customer-facing features. The Toluca Lake location includes a wine cellar, floral department, hot and cold food bars, bakery, Thrifty’s ice cream station, and self-service islands; each with unique refrigeration and environmental needs.

Classic worked closely with the client to ensure each department was supported by the appropriate equipment, airflow design, and control strategy, preserving product quality while maintaining the clean, boutique aesthetic Gelson’s is known for.

Key Drivers Behind the System Design

• Support a wide range of fresh, prepared, and specialty food offerings
• Integrate refrigeration and HVAC within a mixed-use building
• Reduce operational noise and maximize energy efficiency
• Provide advanced monitoring and long-term system flexibility

Products & Systems Installed

• Guntner gas cooler
• Copeland EMS controls
• Kysor Warren reach-in cases
• Kysor Warren produce racks
• Structural Concepts self-service islands
• Piper hot and cold food bars
• Borgen wine cellar and floral cases
• Avantco ice cream bar
• Carrier HVAC system
• KPS Walk-in boxes

A Reliable Foundation for Neighborhood-Focused Retail

From opening day forward, Gelson’s Toluca Lake benefits from a refrigeration system designed to quietly perform behind the scenes,  maintaining consistent temperatures, protecting product quality, and supporting the store’s fast-paced daily operations.

The result is a future-ready system that aligns with Gelson’s premium standards while fitting seamlessly into a modern, mixed-use development. By combining thoughtful engineering with precise execution, Classic Refrigeration helped bring Gelson’s newest neighborhood market to life.

‍