Friendly not just by name

Meals, groceries and old-fashioned customer service are the cornerstone of what the team offers at both Redcliffe Friendly Grocer outlets.

The stores at Victoria Ave and Oxley Ave Redcliffe are owned by Ann, Terry and Kiesha Stehbens – three well known locals with a passion for serving their customers.

While most know the Victoria Ave store is theirs, many did not realise they had owned the Oxley Ave store for the past seven years.

Ann said the same philosophy applied to both stores and was achieved at Oxley Ave with the support of managers Bianca Kelly, Amy Shesgreen, Vicki Sheumack and a team of dedicated staff.

Homestyle meals are available at both stores, with customers having the option to choose from the selection in the fridge or order ahead for home delivery.

The meals are made fresh every day and are convenient for people wanting to stop on their way home or workers looking for something to take to work for lunch. You Foods meals are also available for customers who prefer that style of food, Ann said.

The Oxley Ave store also offers catering as well as fresh sandwiches and takeaway food from the hotbox, or made to order for lunch, dinner or a tradie’s breakfast.

Terry said a dual fryer gave them more options than the Victoria Ave shop, including hot chips. “It’s just another range of products that we can have that we can offer customers,” he said.

They also have the ‘best chickens in town’, baked with Terry’s stuffing and special seasoning.

The team offers home delivery on Fridays for those who put their orders in by Wednesday. At present, they have been delivering to up to 40 customers each week.

Deliveries can be meals or grocery items and the team is also willing to pick up meat and deliver it along with grocery items. 

“If we haven’t got it, we’ll go and get it,” Terry said. Delivery is free to customers who spend more than $40. The Oxley Ave shop is big, easy to access and easy to move around in. 

There is plenty of parking out the back and customers can even eat their lunch there, if they like. 

The team has noticed an increase in business since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as people avoid bigger retailers and look for ways to support local business. “Since COVID, people have been shopping more here and it’s reflected in our sales,” Terry said.

Find The Friendly Grocer at two locations: 

• The Friendly Grocer at 255B Victoria Ave, Redcliffe Open seven days from 5.30am7.30pm. Phone 3284 7181. 
• The Friendly Grocer at Midway Shopping Centre, 542 Oxley Ave, Redcliffe Open from 5.30am-6.30pm Monday to Saturday and 6am4pm on Sunday. Phone 3203 4309

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