The business was previously owned by Howard Dodds, but Brad Winners purchased the business this spring, Stonerock said. Winners also owns the Lakeview Market in Logan County, as well as the Winners One Stop Marathon and Zoom Zoom Drive-Thru stores in Mechanicsburg.
Several improvements are planned to update the store, including a possible agreement to bring a Subway restaurant into the building. The business has also improved its deli area and lowered prices on items like milk and ice cream, according to Stonerock. The store added choice beef, a higher grade than is found at many similar stores, to its offerings, he added.
“We want to be perceived as a fair-priced market for local individuals to shop,” Stonerock said.
Stonerock has a long history with the store, serving as its manager when it first opened as the Northridge IGA in the late 1980s. Winners asked him to take over management of the site again after buying the business. Stonerock has also worked as an independent consultant for other retailers.
He’s making other changes to keep up with demands from customers, including offering more organic produce and locally produced and gluten-free products. The store was also cleaned and better lighting was installed.
“We took a good look at the assortment of products offered and we’ve kind of improved in some categories,” Stonerock said. “We’re basically looking at the product selection and making sure we have what the area needs.”
Customer demands are changing, he said, so one of the store’s goals is to keep up with newer trends.
“With the industry changing to much, you have to stay on top of what the consumer needs are versus what used to be a good item,” Stonerock said.
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