Even a stormy day couldn’t keep locals from stopping in for a look at the Granville Street Mel’s store in Summerside on Monday.
It was opening day, a somewhat slower one due to the inclement weather, said site manager Ryan Simmonds.
Still, people were milling about inside, and each counter busy with people ordering food, paying for gas and, some, just stopping by to check things out.
“We are pleased with the turnout considering. This is our sixth location on P.E.I. It is the only location that has the three food services,” said Simmonds. “They are all branded Mel’s with the food service incorporated into it.”
The 5,000-square-foot store, situated where the Granville Street Diner had previously been located, is one of the biggest Mel’s locations on the Island, featuring eight gas and diesel Petro-Canada pumps and, inside, a convenience store, Mr. Sub, Country Style, Thai Express, and restaurant-style seating for up to 30 people.
“The whole place will employ 25 to 30 people,” said Simmonds, who moved to the store from the Kensington Mel’s location, where he was manager. “We are filling the holes and, with the three food services and the convenience side, we are going to probably hire more conservatively.”
The food-service side of the business, he explained, has its own management team, with Simmonds acting as overall manager for the entire store. Julian Rogers manages Thai Express, while Laurie LeBlanc oversees Country Style and Mr. Sub.
Simmonds said he expects the store to do well, with Thai Express, the second on the Island, to be a big attraction.
“We were debating what food services we were going to put in and what we were going to do in that aspect,” added Simmonds. “A lot of people have been inquiring and are excited about the Thai.”
Mel’s is open daily, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with Mr. Sub and Country Style also opening at 6 but closed at 10 p.m. Thai Express is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Even a stormy day couldn’t keep locals from stopping in for a look at the Granville Street Mel’s store in Summerside on Monday.
It was opening day, a somewhat slower one due to the inclement weather, said site manager Ryan Simmonds.
Still, people were milling about inside, and each counter busy with people ordering food, paying for gas and, some, just stopping by to check things out.
“We are pleased with the turnout considering. This is our sixth location on P.E.I. It is the only location that has the three food services,” said Simmonds. “They are all branded Mel’s with the food service incorporated into it.”
The 5,000-square-foot store, situated where the Granville Street Diner had previously been located, is one of the biggest Mel’s locations on the Island, featuring eight gas and diesel Petro-Canada pumps and, inside, a convenience store, Mr. Sub, Country Style, Thai Express, and restaurant-style seating for up to 30 people.
“The whole place will employ 25 to 30 people,” said Simmonds, who moved to the store from the Kensington Mel’s location, where he was manager. “We are filling the holes and, with the three food services and the convenience side, we are going to probably hire more conservatively.”
The food-service side of the business, he explained, has its own management team, with Simmonds acting as overall manager for the entire store. Julian Rogers manages Thai Express, while Laurie LeBlanc oversees Country Style and Mr. Sub.
Simmonds said he expects the store to do well, with Thai Express, the second on the Island, to be a big attraction.
“We were debating what food services we were going to put in and what we were going to do in that aspect,” added Simmonds. “A lot of people have been inquiring and are excited about the Thai.”
Mel’s is open daily, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with Mr. Sub and Country Style also opening at 6 but closed at 10 p.m. Thai Express is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
