BY KAREN BOSSICK
They promise you could pay between 40 percent and 70 percent less for groceries. The new Grocery Outlet store in Hailey is raising money for the Hunger Coalition, from the day they open til the end of July. Every time a customer donates 5 dollars to the Hunger Coalition, they get a coupon for 5 dollars that they can use for future purchase. Whatever they raise in the first 4 days, Grocery Outlet, Inc. will double the amount up to $4,000. 100% of all money raised will go to the Hunger Coalition.
“Our goal is to raise $20,000 for The Hunger Coalition,” said the Hailey Grocery Outlet’s owner Shane Anderson. “And Thursday morning during our ribbon cutting we will also be donating $1,000 to The Senior Connection. We’re always looking to identify great causes we can work with and support.”
A ribbon cutting for Hailey’s Grocery Outlet will be held at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, June 24, in what was formerly King’s at 615 N. Main Street.
The store will open to the public just shy of 8 a.m. The first hundred shoppers 18 and older who walk through the doors will get a gift card ranging from $5 to $400.
Outside, customers will find drawings and getaways, including 400 loaves of bread, 400 bags of Frito Chips, 400 dozen eggs, 400 containers of chocolate milk and much more throughout the weekend.
The number 400 celebrates the fact that Hailey’s is the 400th Grocery Outlet store.
Shoppers will also get a commemorative tote bag while supplies last.
The store will continue grand opening celebrations throughout the weekend with a Family Day on Saturday featuring face paintings and other fun for kids from 11:00am-1:00pm. On Sunday, a youth group will be outside cooking hot dogs as a fundraiser.
In addition, people can sign up during the first 30 days for a chance to win $1,000 worth of free groceries.
“We are excited to introduce ourselves to the community,” said Anderson.
The first Grocery Outlet was opened by Jim Read in 1946 in San Francisco as a military surplus store offering deep discounts. The Read family continues to oversee the chain, which has stores in Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, California and Pennsylvania.
Grocery Outlet is able to offer deeper discounts than other stores, said Shane Anderson, through the work of our buyers who source 4,500 manufacturers for surplus inventories, product overruns or food that is undergoing packaging changes. "Customers can expect to find fresh meat, organic and regular produce, dairy and deli items health and beauty aids, general merchandise like Kings used to carry, and one of the most amazing wine and specialty cheese departments with prices that'll knock your socks off," said Anderson.
“It’s a different way of doing business,” said Anderson. “The way we source our products, our supply is always changing so it becomes fun to shop as you find things you never know you needed. But there are always products changing—here today, gone tomorrow. So, if you find something you like, come back and stock up because you may never see it again.”
Anderson, who has spent 30 years in retail, became acquainted with Grocery Outlet through his daughter and her husband, who owned a Grocery Outlet.
He bought the Hailey store and moved here the first of the year. And he’s been acquainting himself with the community since. Grocery Outlet gives its independent owners freedom to curate a selection of items specific to the area in which they live.
Shane has zeroed in on NOSH products--Natural- Organic- Specialty- Healthy- items for The Wood River Valley.
If anyone is dissatisfied with something they buy, they are guaranteed 100 percent of their money back within 30-days, no questions asked.
Shane Anderson’s 38 employees have spent the past 17 days stocking the store ahead of its grand opening. Anderson said they’re proud to become part of Grocery Outlet’s 11th year program Independence from Hunger throughout their July campaign to raise money for The Hunger Coalition.
“I’m most excited that we’re bringing affordable groceries to the Wood River Valley. I’m hopeful that can help cut down the number of people leaving the valley to go to Boise and Twin Falls to shop,” he said.
Anderson says that savings extends to shoppers’ time, as well.
“I don’t like people waiting in line—I can open five checkstands any time of day. I want to save people time by getting them in and out quickly. We open tomorrow. Hours are 8 am- 9 pm everyday. We look forward to people coming in and checking us out and giving us a chance. Welcome to Bargain Bliss!" said Shane.