Coles opens new Collingwood store on Smith St site of original shop
MORE than 100 years ago Jan Barry’s father opened the first Coles store in Collingwood. Today she was on hand as the newest store opened in almost the same spot.
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GJ COLES’ daughter Jan Barry couldn’t have been prouder as she helped open the Smith St store this morning in the same spot Coles opened one of its first stores about 100 years ago.
Mr Coles opened his first and second stores in Smith St in 1914 and 1919.
“I’d like Dad to have been here,” Ms Barry said.
“He would have been blown away by the size of this store. But it’s something he always wanted — to reach everyone he could in Australia.”
The new Smith St store has opened less than one kilometre from where the first-ever Coles store opened over 100 years ago, with 83 new recruits as well as 17 team members who have transferred from other Coles stores in the area.
Among the new employees are 11 indigenous team members who completed the first steps training course, which is a three-week pre-employment and mentoring course aimed at participants who have been out of the workforce for some time or not previously employed.
The new supermarket pays tribute to the long history of Coles while also boasting an open market-style layout and modern features.
Ms Barry, 81, said at the opening this morning she was proud of her father and remembered visiting stores when she was younger.
“We’d visit some of the original stores when we went to the country — if we were on holidays, he always liked to call in and see how they were running it — to make sure they were working hard.”
“It’s very exciting and I’m so glad it happened. I think he would be very proud of what’s happened too. The enthusiasm of the staff here is just amazing too.”
The store features an in-store baker, meat counter with in-store butchers, an extended cheese selection and continental delicatessen, as well as 10 self-serve check-outs.
The new Coles stores is at 132-172 Smith St, Collingwood.
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