Staff writer
Grocery shoppers who have visited Carlsons’ Grocery in the last couple weeks no doubt have noticed the new display cases in the produce and deli sections of the store.
Storeowner and produce section manger Mitch Carlson said the new produce display case would dramatically increase the quality and shelf-life of fruits and vegetables sold at the store.
“It was time to change them out,” Mitch said. “The last fixture was the original case that came with the building when it was built in 1994.”
The new produce case has a closed section on one side used to store salad makings, and LED lights illuminate the entire apparatus.
Upgraded shelving also provides improved product visibility.
“The case is actually three feet shorter than the old one we had, but it uses the space better,” Mitch said. “Since we put it in, some people have been noticing items they didn’t know we stocked.”
The deli case was acquired from Heartland Foods in Hillsboro during an auction after the store closed. Mitch described it as a “European style” case.
“It has a curved glass front,” he said. “It’s a great way to display all our meats and cheeses.”
Mitch’s brother and fellow storeowner Greg said the purchase of the two cases was part of a phase of store upgrades they are going through.
However, the upgrades will also help afford their grocery store a competitive edge on the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market that opens in Hillsboro today.
“The Marion people have been great to us,” Greg said. “We want them to have a quality hometown grocery store to shop at.”