| What’s
New at the New Store
By Kenna S. Eaton, General Manager, from the
July 2005 Newsletter
Everyone’s been asking when we are moving and I keep trying
to come up with new and different ways to say, “I don’t
know” without sounding like I don’t know! But regardless,
I have to choose a date whether it’s right or not because
so many people and decisions revolve around it. So here’s
my latest stab at a timeline, but please note this may change!
August
15: we install and set up the new shelving for the store.
By that
date new back-stock coolers and freezers should be up and
running, as should any new coolers or freezers out in the store.
Then it takes about a week to set grocery shelves. It’s a
long, tedious project with many highly trained brokers flown in
especially to help. Okay not many, but as many as we can lay our
hands on; that’s for sure. Each shelf must be set with precision
and then re-set to accommodate another product or simply because
it doesn’t look good enough or doesn’t flow well. During
this time we’ll also be setting the Wellness department (same
process) and the new freezers and coolers that have already been
installed. At some point in this process the new cash registers
will be installed, as will the new computers for the offices. Oh,
and don’t forget the phone lines, the intercom and the “Muzak” and
the ATM—all happening simultaneously!
We
also plan to assemble the new kitchen equipment during this same
time period.
We’ve purchased several new pieces for
our deli as well as using all our old equipment and some from the
old Tidyman’s store. We will need to disassemble our current
kitchen about a week before we move. The current store will continue
to operate almost normally as the kitchen is dragged out piece
by piece. (Bet you didn’t know that the counter has to come
out for the stove and ovens to move out!) But we plan to keep on
selling groceries and produce and supplements, etc. during this
week. As we install the old equipment in place next to the new,
we’ll begin to see the deli come to life.
At this moment I am planning to close our current store August
31 and begin the move September 1.
First
we’ll conduct inventory, especially of perishable items,
and then we’ll begin the slow process of moving a block away.
To start, we’ll pack up our current stock, then disassemble
old shelving and equipment, move it all across the street, and
put it all back together again.
Many people have asked how they can help. At this point we envision
having a sign-up sheet at the front of the store with dates,
times and tasks. If you have already signed up we will send you
a reminder
email before then.
We
think we’ll be closed through Labor Day and re-open Sept.
6. However, as we all know “plans oft go astray” and
I’ve already revised this plan several times and expect to
several times more before we’re done. The real bottom line
is: our lease here expires September 30, so that will become our “dead” deadline—for
sure!
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