Local “VIPs” were invited to a special lunch and tour of the new United Supermarket and convenience store in Brownwood Tuesday. United corporate representatives along with local store staff were on hand to show the local officials just what their brand will bring to the area. The Brownwood store represents the 66th store United operates in 34 different communities in north and west Texas as well as eastern New Mexico.
“We are ecstatic to be here,” said Regional Vice President Mark Yowell. “This town fits us like a glove.” He explained that the United Family, as a corporation, gets involved in the community where they operate, with community service and donations to help local causes.
United Family CEO Robert Taylor explained that the company was honored to open in Brownwood and that he has personally known the area for years through travel and recreation. “We are thrilled to be here. We don’t come to Brownwood just to be another business in Brownwood. We come to be a part of the community. We try to be an active part of any community that we come to.”
The Brownwood store is a new design concept for the company, a new generation store offering over 42,000 square feet including a meat market, large selection of fresh fruit and produce, a full-service bakery, walk-in beer cooler, deli with dine-in area, along with a drive-thru pharmacy and a convenience store. Plans are in the work for an in-store doctor’s clinic as well.
The store manager, Lynn Day, comes to Brownwood after 20 years as store manager in Graham, Texas. He stated that Brownwood in many ways is like Graham with the small town feel and sense of community.
Day further explained how the Brownwood community was a good fit for the company and that even Brownwood’s slogan, “Feel s Like Home,” really meets the corporate philosophy of making the store feel like home to the customer. “The town itself is just great. The culture of Brownwood is the like the culture that United has, of quality and service.”
According to Day, United will bring three things that separate it from the average grocery store, the company’s level of service, their people and overall quality of their products.
Day stated that the opening of the new store brought 200 jobs to Brownwood. “We interviewed 680 people and we hired what we felt was the cream of the crop.”
Approximately 80 students were also hired, which represents first time jobs for many of them. Day explained how working at United is a great opportunity and growth experience for these young employees. “We try to coach them and get them headed in the right direction. We give them good work ethics, so it’s a great opportunity for them,” said Day. “Just in training it’s been awesome. These kids are upbeat and their personalities are just great fits for us.”
Day also announced that a new Starbucks will also soon open inside of the United Supermarket.
“Today they told us that we secured the new Starbucks. We were hoping that that would come so we could open with it,” said Day. He explained that the date of the Starbucks opening has not been set as of yet, but will be coming in the very near future with a full Starbucks coffee shop at the front of the store.
United will open at 6 a.m. Wednesday and will host a grand opening ceremony at 9:00 a.m. Pictured above United Family Regional VP Mark Yowell addresses attendees in the deli dining area. Below are photos of the event as well as sneak preview photos of the store.
Food Service Manager Verna Spain (left) gives a tour of the deli.
Bakery Manager Stephanie Mitchell (left) along with Bakery Supervisor Gary Bittiker (right) explain the full service bakery products offered.
Market Manager Brett Watson shows the variety of fresh meats.
A view of the produce department.
