by Sylene Argent
Last weekend, Jeff’s No Frills offered coffee and treats to customers in celebration of the business’s tenth anniversary in Essex Centre.
“It doesn’t seem like ten years has gone by,” Jeff MacPhee said, who owns the grocery store with his wife, Donna.
A decade ago, the couple were in a program through the grocery chain that prepares those with experience to one day own their own store when an opportunity becomes available. When Jeff and Donna learned a store was going to open in Essex, they jumped at the opportunity for ownership. At that time, they were living in Sarnia.
Jeff recalls when No Frills came to town, residents were a bit hesitant as they didn’t know what the chain was all about.
“It has been a good ten-year run,” Jeff said. “The growth has been good.”
Through the last decade, No Frills has employed hundreds of employees, and Donna noted a few key workers have been with them from the start.
With it being a small town, Donna said she had enjoyed getting to know the customers who shop there regularly.
Jeff added No Frills has many great customers, many of whom are generous. That generosity is noticeable when they host icon events periodically that raise funds to support special causes.
“It is nice being a part of the community,” he said.