The new uptown Askew’s store is expected to open within the next three months.
Owner David Askew said the precise date is difficult to predict because one stage depends on another.
After flooring comes equipment and shelving, for example, and electrical inspections are a necessity before power is connected.
“There are always things until you get everything in place, so we can’t be absolutely sure when we’re going to open. It will be within the next three months or so.”
Paving is expected to wrap up by mid-month, after which the landscaping will begin.
“People should expect quite a transformation up there over the next couple of months,” says Askew.
Regarding employees, he said the store will be hiring about 40 people during the next three months.
“We will have quite a number of college, university and high school students working for us. It gives us quite a bit of flexibility and, at the end of summer, when the dust settles, we’ll have our final staffing needs.”
An internal staffing process has already been completed, during which the management team for the uptown store has been decided, and replacement managers have been promoted downtown.
The grocery store will include a deli with a little cafe, complete with an outdoor patio in the summer.
