Published: June 28, 2008 11:14 pm         

Jumbo: Soon to be bigger, better

Jumbo Foods soon will be bigger and better when store remodeling, including the addition of a pharmacy, is completed.

Randy Powell, general manager, said the pharmacy will be located on the east end of the store on West Willow and should be open by fall. Remodeling began in March and eventually will include the store on 30th as well.

“Every department in the store has been touched,” he said.

Changes include all-new freezers, store decor and an enlarged dining area in the deli, along with a number of new products.

Greg Diel, with Family Pharmacy, will open a second location at Jumbo. Diel has been in Enid 20 years. Hours are not set, but tentatively are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. It will include delivery. The pharmacy will be about 700 square feet.

The store will be staffed to reflect the volume of business, he said, and will focus on customer service, as Jumbo does, he said.

The idea is for customers to drop off a prescription while they are shopping and pick it up when they are done. Diel said that concept will work unless there is an unforeseen delay.

Diel said he moved to Enid right out of pharmacy school and acquired Family Pharmacy in January. His wife, Ginger, is a teacher in Enid Public Schools.

“We like giving back to the community and making it a better place to be. This will be good for customers of Jumbo and will cut down on the number of places they have to go,” he said.

Powell, who is new to Jumbo, said the pharmacy idea has been on the back burner for a long time, and the time seemed right to proceed.

The new products Jumbo is bringing in include additional meats, including select Angus beef and German sausage. Additional organic products, healthy fruit drinks and other specialty items also are being added, Powell said.

Powell came to Jumbo from Elk City and said he has been impressed by the selection of items in the store. All departments will have expanded variety.

Remodeling on the store began right after the 20th anniversary of Jumbo and the 10th annual golf tournament. In the previous nine years, the golf tournament raised more than $75,000 for Our Daily Bread and Horn of Plenty.

Receipts from this year’s tournament are not yet complete, but co-owner Gerald Blevins expects the funds to top $15,000.