Final sneak peek, IGA Newport

Before IGA Newport opens to customers this weekend, Moreton Daily had one last sneak peek inside.

The grand opening is on Saturday, October 29 at 8am, with face painting, children’s activities, specials and giveaways.

Project Co-Ordinator Lisa Wallage says it’s going to be a great day and the team wants the store’s soon-to-be regulars to make their first visit on that day.

“More than anyone, we need customers to come. We need the community to be the VIPs. We want the whole town to be with us on this journey which we are starting here,” she says.

“We’ve got opening day hampers and gift cards. The first 100 customers will be looked after.”

The store is the anchor tenant at the landmark Newport Marketplace at Lakeview Promenade.

“It will be a full-range supermarket with a real focus on fresh and gourmet foods. In our store, you will find market-fresh produce, an extensive deli with gourmet foods, cheese bar, nut butter section and in-house café with Campos superior coffee not to mention aisles and aisles of your favourite brands,” Lisa explains.

IGA Newport will be open 6am-9pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The team will consider opening from 5am for coffee, depending on demand.

“We’ll see what the requirements of the community are and change, if needed,” Lisa says.

What else is on offer?

IGA Newport will stock about 150 types of cheeses as well as Salumi handcrafted, ethically farmed, cured and slow aged meats.

There will be European cheeses as well as Australian cheeses from Kenilworth, Woombye, Barambah. IGA Newport will be stocking dairy products including milk from Barambah, Maleny and Norco dairies.

The store will also offer Kombucha on tap and fresh peanut butter, honey, produce and seafood.

“We have an in-house florist and by Valentine’s Day we’re going to launch our own brand of flowers,” Lisa says

There won’t be an instore butchery, when IGA Newport opens, but the team will be preparing poultry in-house. There are plans to add a small butchery after Easter.

Lisa says it is the only IGA to serve Campos Coffee, selecting the brand because it aligns with their values, looks after coffee farmers and is working to limit impact on the environment.

“It’s a very ethical brand and it’s superior, premium coffee,” she says.

The team will also offer catering and will be taking orders for Melbourne Cup and Christmas functions from opening day.

Check out the photo gallery

Photos by Dominika Lis

Supporting locals

The team at IGA Newport have a passion for supporting local growers and producers, and being an engaged part of the community.

These have been key areas of focus in the lead-up to the opening as they sourced suppliers and connected with local schools and community groups.

The team is seeking locals who are artists, makers and suppliers and are keen to partner with the store in selling their products.

“We are seeking those who are making their first step in the industry who want to try out their business and test the market. They can come to us and we can showcase their products, we can promote their products. If it goes great, the world’s theirs. We want to be partners with them,” Lisa says.

IGA Newport, which is owned by two brothers with stores at Albion and in northern New South Wales, has already employed 70 people from juniors all the way up to management staff.

To find out more, head to the IGA Newport Facebook page