Executives, staff and council representatives gathered at Ritchie’s Tatura Fine Food and Wine to cut the ribbon representing the newest upgrades this week.
In 2022, the supermarket and liquor store, located on Hogan St, began stage one of the redevelopments and on Wednesday, October 4, stages two and three were unveiled.
Parent company Ritchie’s IGA chief executive Fred Harrison said these two stages were centred on moving the grocery and liquor into the upgraded building.
“The store has a has about 30,000 products, so we have an enormous range,” he said.
“We’ve invested $18 million, so I think that says loud and clear our commitment to the region and our belief in Tatura.
“The amount of growth that has occurred and is occurring out here as we speak is phenomenal.”
Customers can expect the familiar products on the shelf at the redeveloped store but can also explore a “finer” taste than in bigger chain stores, Mr Harrison said.
“We wanted to have a supermarket that locals could be proud of,” he said.
“We wanted to establish our Richie’s Fine Food and Wine and have what we would consider points of difference to that of the chain stores that are in town, for example, the iconic Billson’s cordial, which is made in Beechworth.
Mr Harrison was most impressed by the liquor store.
“Our liquor store is brilliant and so I think for me, it is the highlight,” he said.
“There’s a drive-through that can hold eight cars, so on hot days when people are busy or going away and want to pick up some liquor, it’s very easy and very convenient.”
Ritchie’s Tatura Fine Food and Wine is open seven days a week, from 7am to 10pm on Monday to Saturday, and 7am to 9pm on Sundays.