From the outside, it appears to be a small, tidy addition to the building. From the inside, Perhams Service Foods feels like it doubled in size.
Thats what were hearing from our customers...they are surprised at how much space was added, said owner Tim Johnson. It isnt readily apparent from the outside.
By the end of this week, merchandise should be all stocked, placed and reorganized throughout the store--and its 3,300 square foot addition.
My favorite analogy is that we were fitting five gallons of water in a two gallon pail, laughed store manager Dave Still Now well be able to spread things out, offer more variety, and our display space will be more inviting.
The expansion to the north west corner of the building was possible after longtime dentist Phil Krueger retired last year, making the small, Main Street lot available. Kruegers dental clinic was demolished in late autumn, and construction on the Service addition started in November.
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The expansion, its first since 1993, will put Service in a good position to keep customers close to home, said Still. We feel this will be another reason not to drive into Detroit Lakes, said Still, which should also benefit other merchants in Perham.
Some of the details of the expansion:
" The addition has increased grocery and frozen food departments by nearly 50 percent. All departments will increase in size to varying degrees, noted Johnson.
" A new section will be added, featuring natural, organic and gluten-free products.
" The increased square footage means higher-volume buying--with savings passed on to the customer. We will be more competitive, said Still.
" More space means more area for promotional displays and new merchandise, added Still.
" Changing consumer buying habits means a constantly evolving merchandise mix. For example, noted Johnson, space for bottled water products has tripled--from about 8 feet of shelving to 24.
" At least 1,000 new products will be on the shelves with the expansion.
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Along with the physical expansion, there will be new decor in many parts of the store. New doors and a revamped entrance are also part of the overall expansion-renovation.
Service Foods employs about 43 year-round; and about 55 during the summer season.
A career grocery pro, Dave Still started in his home town Breckinridge at age 16; and worked through college at Wahpeton Science. He worked in food brokerage and sales for Super Valu, before taking the opportunity to manage the Perham Service Foods.
He and his wife Dana have four boys, Matthew, Jacob, Joshua and Sam--ages 15, 13, 11 and five. Dana has operated a home day care business since the family came to Perham, named Danas Dumplings.
