The Red Apple store opened its doors for an official grand opening on Sept. 14, welcoming guests with cake and a number of opening week specials.
To celebrate their grand opening, the Red Apple is hosting a Sept. 14 charity lunch from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the Revelstoke Food Bank. Get a hot dog, pop and chips for just $2.
Red Apple manager Trevor English said the store is partnering with Duke's Dogs, who'll be donating labour.
Revelstoke city council representative Linda Nixon helped English cut the ribbon for the official opening. They were joined by staff members Laura Allen, Corinne Martin, Dianne Dyck, Amy Angus and Bea Eliuk.
The Red Apple store in Revelstoke had a soft opening in August.
Inside the store, Nixon and Revelstoke Museum & Archives director Cathy English chatted about the history of the shop's location over cake. English noted the location first opened on July 18, 1963 when Gary Cooper opened the Shop-Easy store.
Cooper then opened his namesake store Cooper's sometime later at that location. It was later moved to its current location in the Alpine Village Mall.
Cooper — a Revelstokian — went on to open more Cooper's stores before they were eventually bought out by the Overwaitea Food Group, who operate them today.
Centenarian Kay Martin visited the Red Apple store to shop on its opening day. "It's been great," she said while enjoying a piece of cake.
Trevor English said the store is still getting new stock everyday, and emphasized the seasonal selection, saying they were bringing in higher quality winter footwear this year, for example.
The Red Apple stores have branded their candy section as 'candyworks.' It features a big selection of candies, bulk candies and chocolate.
The Revelstoke store joined 10 other new Red Apple Canada stores celebrating their grand openings today. 20 more will be opening by the end of the month.
The stores are operated by TBS Acquireco Inc., which operates The Bargain! Shop stores in Canada.
The Red Apple stores are a new re-branding initiative.
"We're thrilled to bring our exciting new Red Apple stores to Canada's rural communities," said The Bargain! Shop executive Eric Claus in a statement. "Our much anticipated new brand is focused on providing improved product offerings, tailored merchandising and a better customer experience, all while continuing to provide great value."
The store will distribute about 40 flyers each year including sale offerings.