IGA thrives on small-town service
Family affair: Esther Johnson, Marianne Fenton, and Brendan, Linda, Kel and Kelly Anderson maintain a family-feel at Mapleton IGA.
During the past few months, family and community have never been more important. And this is particularly evident at the Mapleton IGA.
Kelly and Linda Anderson have owned the business since 1995, having previously been dairy farmers in Maleny. Today they work alongside their son Kel, his fiancee Esther and his son Brendan, their daughter Marianne and her two children Jack and Jessica Fenton.
“When we took on the business, there was a strip of seven small shops here including a haberdashery, a bakery and a hairdressing salon,” said Kel. “Then in 2004 we bought the freehold and began the conversion to the store that is here now.”
“We chose to go with IGA because of the lines they run and because we have a good deal of freedom as business owners to source and sell local products as well,” he said. “It allows us to put our own stamp on the store and to support our world class local producers.”
“We stock the entire core IGA range, which is around 18,000 lines. This means that we can provide a consistent shopping experience. And we are always happy to source favourite brands for our regular customers. But we also have products that are unique to our store and our area, and that is something that even the largest of the major supermarkets does not offer. I think that is what many people love about shopping here.”
When you enter the store, you are greeted by the happy smiling faces of the friendly staff and the warmth, sounds and smells of a home kitchen.
“Customer service is just so important and I think we are very fortunate to have a close team of people who recognise that, and go out of their way to look after our customers. We are a family business and we have made a ‘home’ of sorts, in our store,” said Kelly. “During the early stages of the lockdown, there were a lot of very anxious and stressed people in our area and we worked hard to make sure that we were able to supply our local customers with all the essentials. You would not think that supplying toilet paper would be such a big deal, but it was. None of our customers went without.”
There is an extensive range of ready to eat food for those on the go as well. “All our sandwiches, rolls and wraps are freshly prepared every day,” said Marianne. “They look homemade, because they are!”. “We also roast chickens and have a great selection of hot food, which people appreciate on chilly days. For morning and afternoon teas, we have coffee and have sourced a local supplier for really delicious pastries, tarts and cakes,” she said.
The store not only caters for locals, but also motorists traveling through the area. “We are the only fuel station between Nambour and Landsborough,” Brendan said.
“And we have a really good range of products for motorists and tourists, from car care products to hats and sunglasses. We stock a terrific range of beautiful local cheeses and deli lines that are perfect for picnics on the Range.”
“Some years ago, I read an article in The Australian newspaper about the most liveable places in the country,” Kelly said.
“And Mapleton was one of them. I think this is very true because it is located in such a beautiful, central part of the Coast, it is still very affordable and because it is such a caring community.”
“It is so gratifying to us to be able to live locally, employ locals, support our local producers and to give back to our community in as many ways as we can,” he said. “It is places like Mapleton that embody the best of small towns and caring communities.”
Mapleton IGA have a new website. Check it out at MapletonIGA.com.au. Phone 5445 7711 or email sales@mapletoniga.com.au.