Emphasizing that shoppers found a wide a variety of diverse merchandize in the newly opened Shopko Hometown at the north end of Chino Valley, store manager Tom Jorgenson said he is more than satisfied with the store’s Grand Opening, July 22.
“We’re proud to say we’re a hometown store with hometown appeal. Shoppers can buy almost anything they want – food and clothing, to school supplies, camping equipment to quality home furniture and electronics – without having to drive miles out of town,” he said.
Positioned in the retail market as being similar to Target, Walmart or Kmart in the variety of merchandise offered, Shopko Hometown is part of a chain of more than 370 stores in 24 states. With headquarters in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, the stores are typically located in small or mid-size communities.
Some locations have Shopko Express, a chain of pharmacies carrying a limited selection of general merchandise, groceries, alcoholic beverages and health and beauty supplies. At present, none is in Arizona.
However, Jorgenson says the company this past March opened its first Hometown store in Springerville. The one is Chino Valley is the second.
“What we’re proud of is that we’re bringing the kind of store typically found in bigger communities to rural areas. A dominant philosophy behind the company’s expansion is that customers should not have to drive for miles to find quality merchandise. Shopko stores carry the same brand-name products as you’d find in metropolitan areas,” said Jorgenson, who has more than 30 years of retail store management experience.
He says the company is exploring other locations, too, especially those where stores can give relief to residents in rural areas who currently have to drive 10 or more miles to shop for quality products.
He explained that the privately owned retail corporation has two kinds of stores. “One is the big box store. Those are in larger cities. But the one in Chino Valley is a smaller version of the big box store, and that’s why we call it ‘Shopko Hometown.’”
Occupying 25,000 square feet in a modern building formerly occupied by ALCO, both the interior and exterior have been remodeled to accommodate the display racks, shelving and countertops that march through the interior.
Renovation and stocking cost several million dollars.
A vivid green exterior bearing the name of Shopko Hometown attracts immediate attention.
“What I’m pleased with [is] our store is not just any retail store,” Jorgenson said. “We’re bringing in merchandise our local customers want. If we don’t have something immediately in stock, I can take a request and ask the distribution center to send something.”
He explained the central distribution center for this region is in Boise, Idaho, and that trucks would arrive at least twice a week.
“The store staff also will be able to help customers go online and order whatever they want,” he said.
Customers are Shopko’s First Priority
Jorgenson is emphatic that Shopko’s recently adopted slogan, “Our Customers Count,” sets the philosophy that guides the store. That phrase is conspicuously displayed in the store.
Further evidence that Shopko wants to meet customer needs is apparent in the store hours, Jorgenson said.
“We’ll be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.”
“Every one of our staff – we call them ‘Teammates’ – goes through intense training about the way we serve customers. We want customers to feel like welcome guests when they’re shopping,” the Iowa native said.
Jorgenson also emphasized that teammates are focusing on keeping the store, neat, clean and orderly. “If we take pride in our store, so will customers. They won’t find goods scattered around on the floor or put on shelves where they don’t belong.”
Approximately 25 employees are staffing the store. “We were impressed at the quality of applicants who applied. We focused on hiring locally. We’re pleased so many young people –some yet in high school – applied, for they have flexible hours and a really strong sense of a positive work ethic,” Jorgensen said. “They also know many of the residents and that helps us create that sense of community. We’re proud too of our promotion from within practices, and our excellent benefits program. Shopko has really loyal employees.”
Noting that he and other employees will be active in a broad variety of community organizations and activities, Jorgenson notes that Shopko is a member of the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce. “It’s important that we are involved in the community that supports us, especially in education and health programs.”
Arlene Alen, CEO and president of the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, says the new store is a welcome addition to the retail community.
“It’s great for our economy. Shopko is a store that has just about everything we need. Brand names, wide variety, convenient location and lots of parking. And it’s right here. Best yet, they hired local people, and we’re keeping our residents’ money here in town,” she said.
Chino Valley Town Manager Robert Smith earlier had told the local Chamber of Commerce that Shopko’s picking Chino Valley as a store site was an indication that confidence was building in investments in the rural community. QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
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Photo by Ray Newton