CHEF’STORE opens 3rd Montana location in Helena

US Meals CHEF’STORE, a nationwide chain of warehouse grocery shops, picked Helena for its 87th location and third within the Treasure State.

“We have completed effectively in Missoula, Kalispell, these mid-tier cities,” US Meals Vice President of Retail Assist Stan Walker mentioned in an interview Friday. “That is type of our area of interest.”

Native officers have been additionally available Friday for the shop’s mushy opening.

Helena Metropolis Commissioner Andy Shirtliff mentioned he was reminded of his first job as a 16-year-old was at Glacier Wholesalers in Evergreen.

“It was not as good as this,” he mentioned.

Shirtliff mentioned the shop’s opening is a boon for Helena customers.

“Individuals need extra choices in terms of retail and meals,” Shirtliff mentioned. “It is horrible that we misplaced the Panhandler final yr, so having a retailer like this presents another choice.”

The domestically owned Panhandler Plus was compelled to shut up store in 2022 when its lease was not renewed. Former Gov. Steve Bullock and his brother, Invoice, have introduced plans to open a brewery within the constructing.

CHEF’STORE supervisor George Sewell mentioned he has already heard pleasure from a variety of native eating places and comparable companies.

“There’s an actual want right here for the kinds of merchandise we stock,” Sewell mentioned, including that enterprise house owners he has spoken with mentioned they usually must make 4 or 5 stops to get all of the provides they want. “We offer these merchandise multi functional cease for them.”

Restaurateurs, meals truck operators and the like are the principle buyer base for the shop.

“These mother and pop companies are the spine of what we do,” Sewell mentioned. “However we now have our on a regular basis households too. Large households love to buy right here.”

Sewell was beforehand an assistant supervisor on the Missoula retailer. He mentioned he has household in Helena, so when the brand new location was introduced, he utilized for the gig.

“I am excited to be dwelling,” he mentioned.

Whereas a brand new enterprise would possibly usually carry pleasure over a handful of latest job alternatives, occasions have modified. Employers in Helena and throughout the state are discovering it more and more tough to rent staff.

Sewell mentioned the 2885 N. Sanders St. retailer has been fortunate in that regard to this point.

“We had pool of candidates, a really various group,” he mentioned.

Walker mentioned having opened 5 shops up to now six months, the corporate is keenly conscious of the workforce scarcity.

“What we have tried to do is put an emphasis on our folks and our tradition,” he mentioned. “Up to now, I feel we’re doing a reasonably good job. When you deal with folks, you are likely to retain folks.”

The Helena Metropolis Fee in current weeks re-zoned two parcels simply south of the shop’s location on Sanders Road to make method for 420 residence models to be constructed within the coming years as a part of two separate developments.

Shirtliff mentioned authorities and the non-public sector have to work collectively in the event that they hope to search out options to those massive group points.

“Statewide, we’re dealing with shortages in workforce, housing and youngster care,” he mentioned. “In an effort to assist relieve these pressures on our financial system, we now have to encourage development.”

Sewell mentioned the shop’s grand opening begins Saturday at 7 a.m. and lasts till 7 p.m.

The occasion is ready to incorporate free meals, drinks, raffle prizes, present card giveaways and cooking demonstrations.