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Show A3 The Emery County Review, Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Food Ranch completes renovation project Josie Luke Food Ranch in Orangeville has experienced many changes since owner Drew and Val LeRoy built the original store in 1981. Initially, a 3,000 square foot space, the building has been expanded twice; First to 6,000 square feet in 1986 and then to 23,000 square feet in 1996. In the past two years, LeRoy has again made major changes to the business to bring in local customers. “That is our goal, bringing in the locals. They’re the ones that keep us in business. Everything that we do, we do for our guests, our customers. They’re what keeps us in business and they’re the reason that we’re here,” Drew stated. So, two years ago, he contacted Associates Foods’ Art Department about doing a redesign of the building. Originally, they wanted the store to look like an old western town, complete with weathered wood and several roof levels, but fears of maintaining the used lumber led them to rethink their decision, eventually leading them to select a stucco facade. The decision to make the change was made late in the year, so after waiting through the winter and an unusually unfriendly spring, only recently was the project to the outside of the building completed. Along with the facade, Drew wanted to install a new roof. He related that decision would turn out to be a good one. They later realized the new roof being higher gave them the option of making the roof the same level across all of the additions to the building, which would lend itself to the stucco work they had planned. During the two years, he also had new credit card reading gas pumps and a new island installed, along with new check-out scanners, three more ovens and new food in the deli and new refrigeration equipment in the store. Though in remodeling and revamping Food Ranch, everything didn’t turn out exactly as the Associates Foods’ Art Department had envisioned, Drew is pleased with the results. “It’s finally finished and we’re happy with the outcome,” he said. “Now, we’ve brought it all together and we’re ready to bring in more business. We’re just ready to grow. We put ourselves in a position where we’re ready to do that.” Food Ranch also has a new website, which highlights all of the many features offered in the store, such as bakery, hot deli, ice cream, clothing, sporting goods and catering services. They also offer online-only coupons, weekly seven day menus, community events calendar, and their newest feature: delivery services on Wednesday and Saturday. The website can be found at www.foodranchinc.com. Drew reiterated that everything they have done to improve the store was to of- Food Ranch owner, Drew LeRoy, recently completed a two-year project to improve his store inside and out. fer better service to the community. He stated, “Everything that we do, everything that we represent is trying to tie into the community and get them what they want.” He hopes that by doing all this that local residents will do their shopping at his store. “We’re hoping that organize the event over the years. For the last eight years Tory Killian has helped the city council to coordinate the many features of the celebration. Recently, members of the city council and others involved have tried to accommodate suggestions made by those who attend. Some of the most popular additions are the concerts, ice cream social, amusement rides and large blow-up toys that are offered free of charge. Additions that, according to Mayor Hilary Gordon, “the city council felt was something they could do to show our thanks to the citizens.” Because of that desire, Heritage Days has grown to include both the classic and children’s parade, the Heritage Day’s Rodeo and kid’s rodeo, free concerts, amusement rides and large toys, pet show, baby contest and many more things for to bring it all together to bring our community to do business here,” he said. Emery County’s New Newspaper 685 South Main Street P.O. Box 487 Orangeville, UT. 84537 www.theemerycountyreview.com Phone: 435-748-2541 Fax: 435-748-2543 Established January 2, 2007 Published Every Tuesday Food Ranch owners, Drew and _______ and some of their employees outside the newly refinished store. Heritage Days continues to grow in popularity Continued from Page A1. our local Emery County residents can look and say that here’s a locally owned and operated store that has tried people to enjoy. This popularity is perhaps most obvious when after the parades, attendees migrate to the Lion’s Park near the center of town, where nearly shoulder to shoulder they wander between vendor booths, concerts and amusement rides and toys, greeting friends, family and acquaintances they may not see at any other time of year. Mark Justice commented that the longevity of the event is telling of how great an accomplishment organizers have made. “The celebration has been going on for so long that people take for granted that it’s going to happen each year,” he said. Mayor Gordon revealed that she has heard from many people that the event draws numbers that rival the county fair. Though she admits the event draws a huge crowd, she submitted that the fair is spaced out over a longer period of time, Earl’s Furniture & Appliance Quality for less Washer & Dryer Set Only $69895 Four Year Parts Warranty Summer’s finally here! Cool off with our swamp coolers, window or down draft coolers, and air conditioners. While Supplies Last! 390 n. Main Street Huntington 435-687-9119 so although the crowd may be larger on July 4-5, the fair probably draws more overall. As to why it has grown, the mayor said, “I think maybe it’s that a lot of people are realizing that it’s a fun celebration. When you watch a parade, it takes you completely out of yourself. For me, I could never stand and watch a fun parade and still worry what was going on at the office. It is literally something that takes you away from yourself, to almost like an imaginary world. So, maybe that’s why we like it so much.” She also believes people come because of the free amusements for children, which are part of the reason costs have gone up for the celebration. “You either decide to have a low key celebration with a very minimal cost, or you make it a big celebration. The big celebration brings in things for the children that they look forward to all year, so as long as we can, we will continue to do things for no cost,” she said. Killian agreed, “We’ve been able to bring all of the entertainment and the toys and rides in for the kids for free. It is fun for the adults too. They’re able to kind of be kids for a day.” Councilperson Julie Jones believes that part of the growth has come simply because “It’s the 4th of July. I think today people are more civic and more patriotic,” and so they want to participate in local celebrations. Publisher / Editor James L. Davis jldavis@theemerycountyreview.com Co-Publisher / Office / Advertising Manager Colleen A. Davis cdavis@theemerycountyreview.com Assistant Editor Josie Luke Advertising Design / Office Lyndsay Reid Advertising Sales Charlotte Williams Editorial Staff Kathy P. Ockey Webmaster Casey Wood Postmaster: Send change of address to The Emery County Review, 685 South Main Street, P.O. Box 487, Orangeville, UT. 84537. Publication No: (USPS 6) issued once a week at Orangeville, Utah. Standard postage paid at Orangeville, Utah. Subscription Rates 1 Year (52 Issues) In-State $23.00 1 Year (52 Issues) Out-of-State $26.00 Copyright 2008 The Emery County Review |
