The new 麻豆传媒AVern Plains Co-op grocery store in Oxbow is now open, and it has been well received by customers.
A reception was held inside the store for the co-op鈥檚 staff members, board of directors and numerous dignitaries on March 17. Invited guests included Souris-Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen and Federated Co-operatives Limited board president Clint 鈥淒usty鈥� McDonald.
鈥淚t was a look-see so people could see what our store looked like and what we had to offer,鈥� said Cameron McNab, the manager of 麻豆传媒AVern Plains Co-op鈥檚 Oxbow branch.
They enjoyed tours of the grocery store, and saw the many features it has to offer customers, including the bakery, deli, fresh meat and produce departments.
The store opened to the general public for the first time the following morning. They had more than 600 people pass through the doors on March 18.
鈥淎 lot of them just came in to see what was going on, to see how big the store is,鈥� said McNab. 鈥淭he overall consensus was 鈥榃ow!鈥� Just about everybody who came through the door 鈥� looked up and said that.鈥�
McNab noted that he and 麻豆传媒AVern Plains Co-op general manager Brian Enns met most of the customers who entered the grocery store that day.
The new store boasts 16,000 square feet, with 10,000 square feet for the food sales and 6,000 square feet for the warehouse. The old store was around 5,500 square feet, so their building has nearly triple the size.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a full-service grocery store now,鈥� said Stephanie Nadeau, the manager of the grocery department. 鈥淏efore we had a meats department, but there was no fresh meat. Our produce department was very small. We had no bakery department. Everything was brought in from elsewhere. Now the majority of what we offer is made on-site. The meat department is awesome now.鈥�
They stressed the town needed a new and large grocery store. In 2011, Henry Foods grocery store closed down following the retirement of its owner, John Henry, and so the Co-op鈥檚 grocery store had a large influx of customers. The customer base has continued to grow.
Not only is it a grocery store for Oxbow, but they draw in customers from Alameda, Frobisher and Glen Ewen. They expect they might also start to attract customers from Gainsborough, Carievale and even Carnduff.
Some of the customers noted that if the Co-op would have built the grocery store five years ago, they would not have a store that would be as good as the one they have now.
鈥淚t was worth the wait,鈥� Nadeau said.
A grand opening of the store will be held in June as part of their member appreciation activities.
