The Adelaide Hills town of Hahndorf has gone months without a supermarket, but today the IGA gets a fresh start with new owners at the helm.
The previous store closed abruptly in July, with food left to rot on the shelves, sparking concern among the local community. The IGA branding was removed after the former operators failed to meet required standards.
The new owner, Jigar Patel, who runs another IGA store, says he and his wife Harsha are committed to revitalising the site and providing a community-focused shopping experience.
“When the opportunity came up to support the great local community in Hahndorf, we jumped at the chance and we did not want the locals to go without a local supermarket … we’re happy to bring IGA back to the town,” he told ARN’s Adam and Jennie this morning.
Jigar and Harsha will run the store with help from their 21-year-old daughter and Jigar’s best friend. The team has also hired 10 to 12 local staff, including school-aged workers, providing a boost to the town’s employment opportunities.
Today marks the official reopening, with the Patels promising a full revamp of the store, a focus on quality products, and a welcoming environment for the Hahndorf community, seven days a week 7am to 7pm.
