A temporary solution for isolated residents of North Hill may find that it will become a permanent fixture in the future.
Keith Johannson, the owner of the Arrowhead MarketPlace and the temporary MarketPlace location on North Broadway, said Wednesday the overwhelming response of customers led him to formalize a plan to construct a store the fifth in Minot on North Hill.
"They need a store, so we're going to put one in," said Johannson, who owns 21 other grocery, convenience, dollar and liquor stores.
It took about 24 hours to set up the tent serving as the market's base, at 2424 North Broadway, said Leon Merck, retail operations director for MarketPlace.
"We put her together quickly," he said, as he stood amongst the creation.
Four long aisles were stocked and stuffed with merchandise, almost making one believe that they were in a regular MarketPlace Foods. But then, the planes flew overhead. Customers ducked or covered their ears.
"We're the noisiest grocery store in town," Johannson said, as he stood outside the market in a concession stand selling brats and hot dogs. A Black Hawk helicopter started up nearby on the airport grounds. "We have to be the only grocery store in the United States that has a Black Hawk protecting us," he joked.
The idea for the grocery store came about last week, Merck said. Right away, they started looking for a location but their search was unsuccessful. Then, on Monday, the North Broadway location was secured. The city owns the property and Don Bessette Aviation next door is allowing MarketPlace to work with their electricity, Merck added.
"Customer reception has been fabulous," Merck said, adding there have been a lot of thank you's extended to MarketPlace. "We're going to keep this open as long as everybody needs it."
The new location will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., "as long as we have to be," Johannson added.
By noon Wednesday, Johannson estimated that between 300 to 400 customers patronized the store. Merck guessed 400 to 500, and that they were expecting more.
After city officials closed Broadway, the main north-to-south thoroughfare, those living on North Hill who wish to go to South Hill, or vice versa, found that about the only alternative was the Highway 83 Bypass.
Understandably, the bypass is for the most part traffic-laden, sometimes causing what could be a five minute jaunt to the south where other grochery stores are located to transform into an hour long or more journey.
Susan Coffin, an employee at MarketPlace Foods at the Arrowhead Mall, lives on North Hill. After the Arrowhead location flooded, she would go to work at one of the stores on South Hill.
The drive wasn't too bad, she said, although sometimes the drive could take an hour and 45 minutes. The short distance to the new store is most convenient for her, and it's also helping others.
"I feel like we're helping the north end of town," she said. "It makes you feel better with all the things going on around us."
Chuck and Phyllis Boucher, who live on North Hill, were at the North Broadway location Wednesday noon and "got what we needed."
On Sunday, they went to a grocery store in south Minot and stocked up, but the traffic was terrible, Phyllis said.
"We've been praying for (this store)," Chuck said, adding that his wife has "been wanting it worse."
Under the almost-July sun, the Boucher's sat down at a picnic table and enjoyed a hot dog and Coke, for sale at MarketPlace.
"I took my date out for a hot dog," Chuck said.
In addition to the grilling being done outside, the store offers the staples, such as coffee, eggs, milk, bread, water and ice. Fresh produce, snacks, and "a lot of the basics" are also available, Johannson said. Whatever can't be found at the temporary location can be ordered at: (www.marketplacefoods.com/minot/online_shopping.html). Here, customers can "browse" the aisles and place an order. The groceries will then be brought up to the North Broadway location for pickup. The website was created Tuesday noon, and in short order 72 shopping lists were placed online. Regarding payment, cash, checks and credit/debit cards are excepted; food stamps are not because of the lack of phone lines, Johannson explained.
