The doors have closed on the Ager’s Variety building and the liquor and lottery tickets are gone.
The Coronach Co-op purchased the business from long-time owner, Joyce Ager, in August of this year. They immediately began work to move the liquor franchise from the building at 120 Centre Street, into the Co-op grocery store at 112 Centre Street. When he announced the purchase of Ager’s Blair Molsberry, General Manager of the Coronach Co-op, said he hoped that they would have the business moved into the grocery story by the end of 2011, and it looks like he made it.
On December 15, staff began moving stock from the building formerly known as Ager’s, three doors north to the Co-op Grocery store. The lottery terminal was moved to the Service Centre located on the highway.
Liquor sales began the morning of Friday, December 16, and so far, so good, said Molsberry. “It will be a learning curve for some of the things.” he said. One thing that will be an adjustment will be the need for an adult to be at the till for any liquor purchases. “The adult has to scan (the liquor) and place it in the bag. The (students) can’t touch it.” reported Molsberry. According to Molsberry, the staff has become accustomed to the students who normally come to work afterschool taking over the till duties, while the adults tend to other tasks. According to Molsberry, when a student encounters a liquor purchase, they will page an adult and they will come. “We will try to make it as quick as possible.” he said.
“We’ve had pretty positive comments. There have been a couple of negatives there, but the positives are more than the negative, so that’s good.” said Molsberry.
Sceptics were doubtful that Molsberry would be able to fit the stock into the grocery store. With everything in, including new items, with room to spare, Molsberry wishes he would have taken some bets. “I should have made a lot of money! I did lots of measuring, nobody thought I would fit it in!” chuckled Molsberry.
Molsberry plans to add more stock. “We have more product than when we took over and we’re going to add even more once we see what people want.” One item that will be an expanded wine section.
“We’d like to thank everyone for being patient with us. We will be having sampling, hopefully by Spring and we will be ready to go.” concluded Molsberry
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