The United Family leadership team joined Brownwood community leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s first United Supermarkets and United Express fuel and convenience store in Brownwood at 300 E. Commerce on Wednesday, June 17.
The grand opening ceremony for the 42,648 square-foot supermarket and 1,472 square-foot convenience store included a $10,000 check presentation to Good Samaritan Ministries, as well as a $1,200 donation to the Austin Avenue Church of Christ, the church that hosted the job fair events.
“This grand opening is the culmination of hard work and dedication demonstrated by many United Family team members and Brownwood community leaders,” said Robert Taylor, CEO of The United Family. “We are excited to introduce this community to our company’s special brand of service, while also providing a comprehensive selection of everyday items families need at an affordable price.”
United Supermarkets features a large selection of fresh cut fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and seafood and experienced meat cutters. Other notable features include a full-service bakery and walk-in beer cooler, as well as Texas-made products, a large frozen food section and an extensive selection of gluten-free items. A drive-thru pharmacy is available for guests and plans are well underway for the addition of an in-store clinic.
In addition to standard convenience items, the United Express store has sandwiches, breakfast burritos and other items available that are made fresh daily in the primary store. It also has a four-pump (eight-dispenser) fuel station, which offers both gasoline and diesel.
“This United Supermarkets represents our newest format for the banner, which Brownwood guests will really enjoy,” said Wes Jackson, chief merchandising officer for The United Family. “The store features an expanded offering of fresh foods including fresh prepared food complete with in-store dining.
Jackson went on to add, “In a very recent exciting development, we will also feature an in-store Starbucks opening later this year.”
Store director Lynn Day comes to Brownwood from Graham, Texas, where he served as the assistant store director since 1994. Prior to his arrival at United, Lynn spent 14 years in the grocery retail business with other regional companies. He and his wife Cindy have been married for 27 years and have four children.
“Not only will guests be able to fulfill their grocery needs here, but this store serves as an asset to our community,” said Day. “We are proud to provide employment opportunities and add economic development to the Brownwood economy.”
The 9.8 acre site is responsible for nearly 200 jobs in the community and an estimated payroll of $1.35 million per year.
“It has really been a pleasure to work with the community leaders and city of Brownwood over the last couple of years to make this a reality,” said Taylor.
He explained that corporate officials knew that Brownwood was the right fit for the company.
“You have a special community here whether you realize it or not. You have industry, fabulous industries for a town this size, you have recreation, you have a higher learning center in Howard Payne University, you have a really rich history with your school systems,” Taylor stated. “You have aggressive and dynamic leadership in this community. You have a lot of things going for you and it feels like the type of people we want to be involved with. We really want to be a part of the community. We don’t want to be just another store that opens for business.”
Taylor stated that part of that is giving to the communities where they operate and that they found Good Samaritan Ministries was a really good ministry to support. “They take care of their own, they are home grown. I think they just said they have 5,000 families that they support. We want to invest in Brownwood,” said Taylor as he presented a check for $10,000 to Executive Director Angelia Bostick and Board of Directors President Bob Peters. Taylor also presented a $1,200 check to Austin Avenue Church of Christ pastor J. Tom Washburn.
Before the ribbon cutting pictured above, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes welcomed United to Brownwood and explained how other companies had been approached by local leaders to bring a new grocery store to the community but decided not to make that investment for different reasons. He asked those in attendance to support United in their new endeavor in Brownwood.
“Some stated that Brownwood was too small, some stated that it was too far from the Metroplex, others saw the need in Brownwood, but felt there were better opportunities somewhere else, but United chose you. United chose us, they chose this community in which to invest their time and their money,” Haynes stated. “So I hope that you will appreciate the investment they have made in this community, but for a second, I want you to look beyond the brick and the mortar and see something more important. As you walk through the store, I want you to see its people. I want you to talk to these guys for just a minute and maybe as though you wouldn’t on a normal grocery (shopping) day, but today, notice the smiling faces of the employees that are happy to have a job that provides a fair wage and good benefits. Notice the men and women that are happy to work for a company where there is room for advancement.”
Haynes further explained that there are several managers who have worked for the company since college, or for decades, that have chosen this company to make their careers. “Folks, it is more than just a job,” said Haynes. “This is a company that values its employees and it shows.”
United Supermarkets of Brownwood is open from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. daily.
Pictured above are representatives from The United Family, community officials, and representatives from the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce and Early Chamber of Commerce. Below are more photos from the grand opening event.
CEO Robert Taylor (far right), along with store manager Lynn Day (far left) present $10,000 donation to Good Samaritan Ministries board president Bob Peters (center left) and Angelia Bostick (center right).
Donation presented to Austin Avenue pastor J. Tom Washburn (left) by Lynn Day and Robert Taylor. Also pictured are United Regional VP Mark Yowell and Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ray Tipton.
Customers shopping during the grand opening event.
