Chef’Store, the wholesale grocery store by U.S. Foods, has opened in Augusta.
Mayor Garnett Johnson joined the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, leadership from U.S. Foods and local shoppers on Friday morning, to cut the ribbon at the new store at the Apex shopping center in west Augusta.
“Here we grow again,” said Mayor Johnson, beginning his remarks before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, before noting the new store will prove “a great asset that’s going to contribute more than $25 million annually to our sales tax collections.”
The 20,000-square foot grocery store is the 97th Chef’Store by US Foods, and the second in Georgia, the first being the location in Sandy Springs that opened in February.
James Allen, the Augusta Chamber’s vice president of member and community development, noted that 79% of businesses in Augusta are small businesses, including independent restauranteurs who, along with their counterparts in other areas in the CSRA, have had to travel to Columbia for the nearest branch of the grocery wholesaler.
The new store, which like other Chef’Store locations in that it does not require a membership, and so is open to any prospective customers interested in its bulk offerings of produce, meat and even restaurant equipment.
“What we look for is a thriving food scene,” said Ryan Weedon, senior director of sales and marketing with US Foods, on what brought the retailer to the Augusta area. “Restaurant operators in the field come in and find the exact same ingredients day after day after day. Unlike today, there’s not going to be long lines or crowds to fight on a regular day. We make it easy to get in, get out, get everything you need and get back to work.”
The Chef’Store by US Foods, open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., is located at 102 Mason McKnight Jr. Pkwy.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
