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RIVERTON — A mom-and-pop grocery store in Riverton made a big business move recently by relocating into a larger facility.
Residents have been shopping at Peterson's for years. The store, off 126th South and Redwood Road in Riverton, moved to a former Fresh Market store just across the street. Peterson's store manager said the move from a 45,000-square-foot building to the 54,000-square-foot building was necessary to keep up with what competitor grocery stores offer.
"We see examples of where there's more emphasis on convenience, or prepared foods, and so having the additional space gives us the opportunity to have those offerings for our guests," store manager Brandon Peterson said.
Monte Peterson, Brandon's father, owns the store. He admitted he was nervous making this move, but felt like he had to.
"It's a changing business, even more competitive, and you either adapt or you disappear," Monte Peterson said.
Independent grocery stores have a tough time going up against chain grocery stores and have to do whatever it takes to survive. But this move is a sign that the economy can sustain smaller stores alongside the national or regional chains.
"It helps us have fresher produce, fresher perishables, turning product over more. It's just a lot of excitement," Monte Peterson said.
Another benefit for the store is the new location. It is now on the side of the road people travel on when they're going home instead of going to work. That little convenience is a big deal and helps bring in more business.
Peterson's also kept a lot of workers who were working at the Fresh Market store that was in the building they moved into, though most of them transferred to other stores.
The owner says those workers knew their customers and if it helps make customers feel at home, that's what he wants to do.
"The grocery store industry itself is very competitive," Monte Peterson said. "It always has been, and I think it will continue to be very competitive."
