Woodend’s long-awaited IGA supermarket is set to open tomorrow.
Marks Group will operate the supermarket and will also relocate their current Cellarbrations liquor store to the site.
The former Coles supermarket site in the 19th Hole Shopping Centre has been completely renovated with a new fit out.
More than 100 locals will be employed at the store.
Store manager Lloyd Haggar said the supermarket would be offering a wide range of groceries featuring local producers from the region.
“Our fresh food section will be very local, very gourmet, lots of local suppliers from Mount Macedon, Kyneton, Castlemaine, Bendigo,” Mr Haggar said.
The deli will offer hot food, sliced meats and smallgoods, plus seafood, and there will be lots of fresh bakery items and fresh fruit and veg.
“The vision is a bit like Whole Foods in America, we wanted to create a wall of colour with the produce,” Mr Haggar said.
A sushi station will be run by a Go Sushi chef from opening to closing each day and a juice bar by Kick Juice will offer smoothies, shakes and juice. Fresh flowers will also be available in store, from suppliers in Riddells Creek, Bendigo and Ballarat.
The IGA will offer customers a rewards program and a Click and Collect service.
The supermarket will be open from 7am to 10pm daily, with the Cellarbrations open 9am to 10pm, and 10am to 10pm Sunday.
A grand opening is planned for September 3 with entertainment, barbecue food, jumping castles and more.
