New Super One preparing to open May 18 at Whitefish spot

With the promise of offering "the biggest and nicest produce in town," Super 1 stores is preparing to open its newest Flathead Valley store on U.S. 93 in Whitefish on May 18.

According to Randy McIntire, Super 1 advertising and merchandising director, this will be the Idaho-based chain's fifth Montana store. Locally, there are stores in Kalispell and Columbia Falls.

"Our meat and produce departments are always big," McIntire said. "In the new store, we'll be offering meat from Painted Hills Natural Beef. And our organic produce will be coming from local farms, Northwest growers and Canadian greenhouses."

The 55,000-square-foot Whitefish store has been under construction since fall 2004 on the Mountain Mall site occupied by Food Pavilion. The Food Pavilion building was demolished along with adjacent vacant spaces to make way for the Super 1 store.

Between the land acquisition, construction and equipment, McIntire estimates the new facility has cost Super 1 $8 million.

"It's the most expensive project we've done so far," he said.

When it opens, the store will employ 85 employees. Soon after, it will recruit additional temporary help for the summer.

"We've hired 85 percent of our permanent crew already and we're currently training them in our Kalispell and Columbia Falls stores," McIntire said.

Janie Furniss, the new store's director, will come from the Columbia Falls Super 1, while the assistant store director Mary Graehl has worked in both the Kalispell and Columbia Falls stores and been with the chain for more than two decades.

"They're really working on expanding the gourmet section," Graehl said. "Lots of specialty foods and ethnic foods. But, don't worry, we're still going to be the same old Super 1 we've always been."

McIntire said customer interest in natural and organic foods has been on the rise and that he has had a hard time keeping many products such as gluten-free breads on the shelves.

"The new store will offer almost 100 percent more natural foods and organic produce than our other stores," he said. "There'll be a bigger olive bar, a wider selection of cheeses and several lines of artisan breads."

Another section of the store where selections are being ratcheted up is the liquor department.

"Wine and beer are really going to be big up here," McIntire said. "Our beer section will be even larger than the one in the Kalispell store."

But what about prices?

"Our prices will be way cheaper than what's currently being offered in Whitefish on the grocery end of things," McIntire said.

Super 1 plans a five-week-long grand opening celebration starting May 18. Like all Super 1 stores, the Whitefish store will be open 24 hours.

Reporter George Kingson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at gkingson@dailyinterlake.com