Tatura IGA has opened the first stage of its brand new Ritchies Fine Food and Wine store.
The upgraded store opened its doors to the public on Wednesday, revealing an in-store bakery and deli department as just some of its new features.
The long-awaited upgrade, delayed by the recent flood crisis, will see the new departments housed in a new space at its Hogan St location.
The existing store will continue to operate while further upgrades are completed.
Ritchies store development manager Richard Hobbs said the store — the first of its kind in the IGA stable in country Victoria — would give the Tatura community more options when shopping for groceries locally.
“This will be fantastic for the town,” Mr Hobbs said.
“Hopefully it keeps people from leaving Tatura and driving into Shepparton for groceries — ideally it will keep some money in town.
“It will be hugely beneficial to keep people in town; if they go shopping for one thing they’re going to go shopping for others and hopefully it can help support the rest of the main street.”
Mr Hobbs said a range of exciting new features would provide shoppers with a different kind of experience in-store.
“This stage will include all of our fresh food departments, we’ve incorporated a bakery and a large delicatessen,” he said.
“There’s an in-store butcher on-site so customers can talk directly to butchers and organise certain cuts.
“There’s a range of products on offer and it is a different experience to what the chains are — there are many elements, including cheese, breads, a juice station and sushi.
“All these things will make the shopping experience much more enjoyable.”
Further stages of the upgrade, including drive-through liquor, are expected to open next year.