Friendly Grocer set to open in Slade Point

The operators of a Mackay business have revealed their plans for a new suburban grocery store. Here’s everything you need to know about the supermarket.

Cainya Mini-Mart owners kush Hariya and Dhwani Visariya are opening a new grocery store in Mackay.

A beach-side Mackay suburb is getting a new grocery store.

A Friendly Grocer will soon open in Slade Point on the corner of Slade Point Rd and Pheasant St, at the former site of both the old Palm Grove Store and Kookaburras Store.

Husband and wife owners Kush Hariya and Dhwani Visariya also own Mount Pleasant’s Carinya Mini-Mart.

Mr Hariya said he had got chatting with the Slade Point site’s landlord Steve Chapman, one of his suppliers for Carinya, and saw the opportunity to build his next business.

He said Slade Point was “a very good suburb” with its stunning beaches and local favourite Lamberts Lookout drawing lots of people over the weekends.

While Friendly Grocer is expected to open by March 29, Mr Hariya said he was taking his time setting up and training staff.

“I’ve had a lot of people come in to interview … found some really promising candidates (but) I need to train staff,” he said.

“If you start pressuring people with a lot of things at once, they may not stay (so) we will do hot food, but not straight away.

“I’d rather do it slowly slowly and go from there.”

Mr Hariya said they had never had to hire new staff at Carinya, and shared their principles for keeping employees working happily.

“If they’re happy with the business, the business will do well,” Mr Hariya said.

“Customer service is one thing (but also applies) with staff, never get angry and always smile.

“Never shout at them, even if they make mistakes or something doesn’t go right … it’s the one important thing to keep a happy environment.”