During this time dealing with Covid-19, The Goose has incorporated the following to keep the store environment safe and clean for everyone:
- Constant cart/hand basket cleaning by spraying each cart down with food-safe sanitizer after each use. Also occasional pressure washing of all carts.
- Always have some form of cart sanitizer wipe.
- Provide complimentary hand sanitizer for all customers (directly at the entrance).
- One-way aisles complete with overhead and floor signage.
- Overhead announcements for both social distancing and one-way aisles.
- Provide face coverings and gloves for all employees.
- Mandatory face coverings for all employees while on the sales floor.
- Cleaning of entire store multiple times a day (basically anything customers or employees touch).
- Constant cleaning of check stands especially pin pads and loyalty terminals.
- Installed plastic shields at each check stand to create a barrier between checker and customer.
Harrison Casteel is now in his third year as the Store Director for The Goose Grocer in Langley. He was the Assistant Store Director for the IGA Store in Ocean Shores before he took on this position with The Myers Group, where he has worked for more than 10 years.
Casteel says that the vision for the store has not changed from when he became the Director: “It is still a community-based and community- driven operation.” He notes that they are continuing to work on improving the customer experience. This year, the front of the store was remodeled to provide a more open concept, and to add an additional check stand to improve customer flow.
The Goose Community Grocer (known simply as The Goose or The Goose Grocer) opened in September 2009 at Bayview Center in the location that was formerly Casey’s Red Apple Grocery. When it first opened, it projected a low-cost image with concrete floors and a system of funneling customers through a channel of bargain shelves. A customer base quickly developed, but it wasn’t until 2014 that The Goose began creating enough profit to support the original vision that Goosefoot, the store’s owner, had for the store.
Renovation of The Goose was completed in 2015 and included:
- New low-maintenance floors that do not require waxing or chemicals to clean
- Elimination of the bottleneck at the entrance that was not customer-friendly
- Removal of the stack wall that held the specials to provide a new open look coming into the store
- A greatly expanded bulk foods section for the local demographic that wants to buy only what is needed and not waste any food.
- Continued promotion of, and support for, organic produce and other organic products.
- A re-arranged wine area that promotes improved traffic flow
The Goose Grocer is owned by Goosefoot Community Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic and community development organization on South Whidbey. Goosefoot is committed to using its real estate properties and collaborative partnerships to “Achieve a vision of a thriving, socially and economically vibrant community on South Whidbey” according to Executive Director Sandra Whiting.
Profits from The Goose are invested back into the local community. Goosefoot has given $877,535 to 24 local non-profits since 2014. This dollar amount will be even higher when a new round of grants is announced this year on November 15.
“Our grant program is made possible by the success of the Goose Grocer,” says Whiting, and she adds, “Your shopping dollars are put to good use right in your own community when you shop at the Goose!”
At the 10th anniversary of The Goose Grocer, and the 20th anniversary of Goosefoot, over 400 lunches were provided for the community and $25,000 was donated to the Bayview Community Hall for much needed updates and paint.
The Goose Grocer is managed by The Myers Group, which is headquartered in Clinton and operates several grocery stores in Washington State and one in Oregon and two in Alaska. From 1978 to 1999, The Myers Group owned this very same grocery, known then as Casey’s. Tyler Myers, president and son of founder Kent Myers, worked as a courtesy clerk while attending Langley High School. When Goosefoot decided to take over ownership, they arranged to have the operation of the store handled by the Myers Group.
As part of the commitment to the community, The Goose has added a points-based rewards system: “Community Plus Advantage Program.” All ad and in-store special pricing is available to anyone with or without a rewards card, however the rewards system provides steeper discounts over and above the current advertised providing and in-store specials. Customers can also choose to donate their points to the Good Cheer Food Bank or Island Senior Resources.
The Goose also recycles all of the plastic and cardboard waste through its main distributor, SuperValu. Free recycling of plastics is offered to all Goose customers.
Regular customers, and those who are new to The Goose, are quick to share their positive responses to the store environment. Best of all, profits from The Goose are continuing to grow and provide more support to The Goosefoot vision of service to the community.
Harrison Casteel believes in the Goosefoot attitude about the importance of community involvement. He also says he loves the grocery industry: “I really enjoy the challenge of behind-the-scenes management. It’s very rewarding to get great customer feedback.”
If you haven’t been to The Goose Grocer recently, stop by and take a look.
For more information about The Goose Grocer, visit their website: http://www.goosegrocer.com/
