New York has received its first The Fresh Grocer, which opened Aug. 23 in the Long Island town of Oakdale.
For residents of the tight-knit coastal community, especially during the summer influx that swells the population by 20 percent, The Fresh Grocer is a welcome sight. The new addition to the Lighthouse Commons shopping center fills a void left by the previous grocery store’s closure.
The Fresh Grocer is one of Wakefern Food Corp.’s supermarket banners, with 22 locations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The store will be owned and operated by the Thompson family and their company, K. Thompson Foods, which have three ShopRite stores on Long Island. The family is a member of the Wakefern cooperative.
With the family’s ShopRite stores averaging 65,000 square feet, The Fresh Grocer in Oakdale is a smaller format and about a third of that size. And as its name suggests, the store is known for its focus on fresh prepared foods. It features a from-scratch bakery with special occasion cakes, pastries and freshly made bread and a meat department with butchers available to cut custom orders.
The store also has a full-service seafood department with daily, fresh-catch deliveries; deli featuring made-to-order sandwiches; and fresh prepared foods department with restaurant-quality take-home meals and catering services. Shoppers also can find a range of international products, sushi, as well as frozen, dairy and floral departments.
Environmentally focused and time-crunched consumers will appreciate the store’s commitment to energy-saving technology and online shopping options through TheFreshGrocer.com and its mobile app.
Family values, local focus
Thompson Foods is a third-generation operator that brings deep roots and commitment to the community to the new Fresh Grocer. Ken Thompson Jr., SVP and COO, works with his father, Ken Sr., and son, Ken III, as well as his sister, Danielle Johnston. The family felt there was a need for a market in the area after the last grocery store left a few years ago.
The store’s nine aisles are packed with grocery staples, but the produce, prepared foods, fresh seafood (including ready-to-eat meals) and full-service meat counter featuring prime and angus beef are the primary draw.
“Our prepared foods will include a range of options from Italian and Greek to Asian and home-cooked favorites,” Thompson said. “We will also have low-carb offerings. We try to cover all the bases and offer foodservice menu options that are popular with everyone.”
Supporting local producers is a priority, he added.
“Local is very important to us. Currently in our three ShopRite stores, we have more than 100 local vendors we work with, and we will be bringing those vendors over to The Fresh Grocer as well,” he said.
The commitment to local extends beyond products, with a focus on top-notch customer service.
“We want to continue to deliver the service and experience that we are known for in our three ShopRite locations,” Thompson said. “We think The Fresh Grocer will be a good fit for the island and are excited to grow this brand over the next several years.”
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Training key to service goals
In a competitive job market, Thompson acknowledged the importance of employee training and a positive work environment. By setting a strong example and prioritizing customer service from the top down, the company aims to attract and retain a talented workforce.
“Over the years, we’ve had to compete not only for customers but also for talent,” he said. “My sister heads up human resources and oversees hiring and training. We are always focusing on the importance of the customer experience and how our teams can help make that shopping experience a positive one.
“Our associates live and work in the community and care deeply about providing great service and making our stores places people want to visit.”
Thompson said being a multi-generational family operator also is important to the business. From senior staff to department managers, everyone strives to be a role model for employees.
“We have great teams and are proud that many of our associates have built careers in our family-run organization,” he added.
