Grocery Outlet to bring 30 jobs

Excitement is brewing for the opening of Grocery Outlet in Orland and the 30 jobs it is set to bring to town.

"It will be good for the economy and jobs," said Emilio Gomez, who added he plans to apply for one of the openings.

His mother, Yolanda Gomez, said she hopes at least two of her adult children will apply.

"I think it is going to be good," she said. "Good for youngsters to have jobs — good for people who don't have cars and are on a budget."

The store tentatively should open in late April or early May, its owner, Curtis Hallam said Thursday.

Construction is under way on the new grocery in the Stony Creek Square Shopping Center off South Street.

Once completed, it will encompass 15,000 square-feet and include an inventory of meats, canned goods, produce, bakery items and health and beauty goods along with beer and wine.

Sheri Anderson also cannot wait for it to open.

"I think it's wonderful," Anderson said. "We've needed it for a long time. I've already driven by it a couple of times."

Orland Inn owner Ron Braga said he thinks it will benefit the long vacant shopping center and by extension should help his motel next door.

"It's the greatest thing to happen to Orland in the last 20 years," Braga said. "It should re-vitalize this section of town and pull traffic off the freeway."

Interstate traffic is where the money is, he said, and it could also spin off some traffic to downtown Orland.

"The more competition the better," said Oscar Redes. "It should bring prices down and employ more people."

Trish Saint-Evens said her thrift store customers are excited about Grocery Outlet, too.

They are "jazzed" about not having to go so far to shop and the prices, she said.

Hallam has spent his career in the grocery business, starting as a bagger in his uncle's Grocery Outlet store in Redding.

From there, he worked his way up to manager, a biography said, and now he will own his own business in the Orland franchise.

"I'm excited about it," Hallam said. "I grew up in the North State. It is nice to be home."

He added in a phone interview Thursday there seems to be a lot of interest from prospective employees, and a sign on the storefront tells people to apply online at groceryoutlet

orland.com.

The store will be open 7 days a week with hours of 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, he said.

"It looked like a good opportunity," he said, as to why he chose to come to Orland. "The people sounded great and were friendly."

A grand opening celebration will be announced as the store is ready to open, Hallam said.

In the meantime, Vera Adams of nearby Buckaroo Bargains and Bistro said some of the construction workers are visiting her restaurant for lunch.

"We are looking forward to the store opening," she said, as it should increase traffic into the center.

Randy Fortner, vice-president of the Orland Area Chamber of Commerce, said the 30 full and part-time jobs will be a nice addition to the town.

Also, the store hopefully will open the door for other businesses to come into the center.

"We have a good customer base," Fortner said. "A lot of older people don't want to drive as far for shopping, and it adds to the coffers of the city- which is a win-win for everybody."

The possible location of a Dollar Tree store next door to Grocery Outlet is still in the works, but nothing has been finalized, according to Orland City Manager Peter Carr.

If it comes in as anticipated, that will provide another discount shopping opportunity and more jobs for local residents.