L'ANSE - It's been a long time in the making, but this morning Pamida opened its doors for customers for the first time in the village of L'Anse.
The store, which is located east of town on U.S. 41, will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, offering an array of goods to Baraga County residents.
"We have a wide selection of goods from electronics to apparel, with the pharmacy and seasonal stuff, whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas or harvest time," Store Manager Ryan Fluit said. "If you look at the store, we have a small collection of everything the big box stores have to offer."
The people in L'Anse are excited about the move, and showed it by waiting outside of the doors this morning, allowing the store to open at 8 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.
"We did have a few people waiting outside at 8 a.m. this morning," Fluit said. "Waiting to get inside, take a look and see what we have to offer."
Fully staffed and prepared for the rush, Fluit opened the doors a little earlier than he was planning, and from all accounts he's heard, people are happy.
"I've been up here since the first of August, and all I've seen is a lot of excitement from the L'Anse-Baraga community about another opportunity for their shopping needs," Fluit said. "People are very excited and enthusiastic about what we have to offer.
"So far (this morning) it's been very smooth. We're opening as scheduled and the merchandise is here and ready to be shopped."
With the store opening in L'Anse the pharmacy, which was previously located in downtown L'Anse, has been moved into the store.
"The pharmacy is open up here as well, with a drive-thru window," Fluit said. "The one downtown is closed."
Twenty-five people have been hired to keep the new store running, which will help to offset many of the local jobs that have been lost in Baraga County over the last year.
"So far the store has been very well received within the community," Fluit said. "As a member of the community we look forward to giving back as well, and we do that through the Pamida Foundation, which benefits local schools and charity by giving back a portion of sales as well as through special events."
For additional information, call the store during business hours at 524-2424.
Michael H. Babcock can be reached at mbabcock@mininggazette.com.
