About 120 people braved the cold last Wednesday morning to witness the opening of a new Coles shopping centre in Romsey.
The event began with a Welcome to Country and was followed by speeches from McEwen MP Rob Mitchell and store managers.
Mr Mitchell noted it was a positive inclusion for Romsey as it had created 100 new jobs for the growing local population.
“This is an absolutely fantastic day. It’s going to bring a lot of new life into Romsey,” he said.
Coles Romsey store manager Lisa Zahra, who has been with the business for more than 25 years, was equally excited.
“I can’t wait for our customers to walk through the doors and explore everything the new store has to offer,” she said.
Coles marked the occasion by donating $3000 to Romsey Junior Football Netball Club, which had 16 members present, and $1000 to Second Bite, a food relief charity organisation whose president was also in attendance.
Locals expressed excitement for the arrival of the supermarket chain and Kathie, 51, was one of the first customers.
“We’ve been waiting a very long time for it. Woodend is a long way away and I live down the road so it’s so easy. The town needs some competition,” she said, noting there had previously only been an IGA store in town.
The arrival of the precinct brings a new Liquorland, pharmacy and two EV chargers for electric vehicles.
