Maleny IGA says goodbye to Rob & Sam
Maleny IGA last had “new owners” way back in 1995, until recently at least.
That was when Rob & Sam Outridge decided that Maleny was a town they could call home.
Rob has often described Maleny as the perfect town. The perfect size, picturesque, quaint, fresh air, with a vibrant, creative community. What he and Sam are more reluctant to talk about is the role they played in keeping it that way.
Rob and Sam were only young (late twenties), when they purchased the “Universal Providers” now known as Maleny IGA. They had no experience in the grocery business but had been successfully running a news agency at the time.
The change they faced was profound.
They went from 2 staff to 60 Overnight. The Maleny community watched closely as the old Supa Value Supermarket started to transform. Largely due to the 100 hour work week adopted by the couple for years to come.
Little more than a year into the business, Rob & Sam invested a further $1.3 million on their first round of renovations. The focus was on transforming the interior of the building.
They replaced the old floors with beautiful Tasmanian Oak. Then upgraded all of the furniture, refrigeration and fixtures.
As a sign of things to come for the Maleny community, Rob & Sam worked with as many local professionals and tradespeople as possible to complete the job. Rob said “ This is in-line with our commitment to add value and keep local dollars circulating locally”
maleny IGA gets A whole new Feel
Renovations complete, the name changed to Maleny IGA, and the store had a renewed feel and focus.
The experience of a Country town, Country store was carefully maintained. And enhanced with more modern styling and more sophisticated product options.
Importantly it simply never felt like just a Supermarket.
In an interview with the Sunshine Valley Gazette, Rob said “The community won’t take a step back if they are not happy with you but, by the same token, they will always step up and support you as well”.
Maintaining a focus on local produce, and local staff, Rob & Sam started to enjoy that community support. Strong year on year growth followed.
In keeping with their philosophy of supporting their community, part of this growth was directed back to community groups. Over $700,000 was committed in Donations and sponsorships in their first 10 years.
Rob noticed that it was the same groups coming up as beneficiaries each year. He realized that many others were not yet receiving any assistance and sought a solution.
Community Benefits Club
In 2006 Maleny IGA launched its Community Benefits Club which changed everything.
Customers could now nominate the community groups or charities they wished to support and part of every dollar they spent was directed to that organization.
The scheme has seen over $1.7 million shared among some 150 community organization since 2006. According to Sam, over the years the largest beneficiary has been the Sippy Creek Animal Refuge.
The CBC will continue to provide community support into the future.
Rob & Sam came to Maleny with a 10 year plan to run a business but stayed for 27 years to raise a family.
In 2014 a second round of renovations were started, at a cost of $3 million.
This time the floor space was increased, and changes made below and behind the building.
The improvements provided better parking, safer product handling, and improved cold storage for the expanding product ranges to follow.
Upstairs, the most notable change was wider isles, a large, modern Deli and a much larger fresh produce section.
Cyclone Oswald January 2013
While the planning for this round of upgrades was taking place, Cyclone Oswald spent 10 days tracking through the Gulf, across the Northern Territory and on into Queensland. In its path, a large, local Bunya Pine fell victim to the winds.
Rob & Sam employed local craftsman David Linton to transform the Bunya Pine into beautiful, natural shelving and fresh food bins for the expanded produce displays.
Generational Employment Opportunities for Maleny
Rob & Sam have not only provided first job opportunities to countless locals, but have now gone on to provide that same opportunity to the children of youngsters who the employed in the early years.
They have also supported the local high school’s Agriculture program and purchased the student grown produce to feature and sell through their store.
27 Years is a long time.
After employing over 1,000 people, serving an estimated 27 million customers and supporting hundreds of community organisations, there is little if anything in Maleny that Rob & Sam have not nurtured or enhanced.
Support for Sunshine Coast Producers.
It’s rare that a small town Supermarket becomes a “must see” for visitors to a town, or a place that locals proudly take their guests too. But Maleny IGA is just that.
For decades, Rob & Sam have supported and nurtured local suppliers and the results add to the unique shopping experience they have provided their town.
The Shelves are full of local produce that you simply don’t see in other Supermarkets. Their largest selling dairy range comes from Maleny Dairies, the top Deli product is local “Peachester Ham”.
There are many other local products. Local organic Honey, Montville Coffee, Maleny Cheese, Pomodoras Condiments and many others.
Rob estimates that around 15% of their product range is sourced from local providers.
Loyalty repaid.
It must have been a nervous time for Rob & Sam, when after sustained community protests, Woolworths finally found a way into town.
The community support for Maleny IGA never wavered.
There is still the odd vehicle around town sporting the bumper sticker “we won’t shop there” which became the local’s Mantra when the supermarket giant arrived.
For most locals, Maleny IGA remains the trusted supplier for quality produce.
Looking to the future
Rob & Sam are still young, and will no doubt take on additional projects in the years to come. But, for the first 6 months or so they will enjoy some travel, rest and rejuvenation after running a 7 day per week business, 364 days a year for 27 years.(The business is only closed on Christmas Day and the morning of Anzac day).
The family will continue to call the Sunshine coast home and are fondly reflecting on their time as custodians of Maleny IGA.
Few small business owners have the perspective and dedication to enhance an entire community through their Business. Rob & Sam should be proud to list that as one of their achievements.
Seasons IGA Group
The store has been sold to Seasons IGA, who operate 10 IGA outlets, including 3 on the Sunshine Coast.
Known for their nurturing of staff, and commitment to local communities, Rob & Sam believe that Seasons IGA are a good fit to take the store forward.
Best news of all for Maleny residents and visitors is that Season’s have said that Maleny IGA will continue to operate in its unique style. Business as Usual.