By Mike Harris
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
Goodwin’s new gift section offers a variety of items in its new open display.
Fourteen months after snowstorms collapsed the roof of Goodwin and Son’s Market, Goodwin’s reopens this week, welcoming customers to a new store and a new design.
“We put a lot of thought into this and our market is designed for the next generation,” Mike Johnstone, VP and general manager, told the Alpine Mountaineer. “This is a new store designed for the next 50 years.”
Johnstone gave this reporter a tour of the new market, and the first impression is nothing short of “spectacular.” The overall feel is one of openness, with polished concrete floors, an open ceiling and a very high tech feel to the aisles of products and services. The decor on the walls is a combination of Goodwin family history and a Crestline theme.
Candy maker Louise is back, preparing fresh chocolate treats for that special occasion.
“We wanted to make our residents and visitors feel proud of the store when they walk in, that there is nothing like it on the mountain,” Johnstone added.
The market is open for business this week, and Johnstone said plans are in the work for a grand opening in August.
The family wants to hold the grand opening in August because that the month that Goodwin’s founder, George Goodwin, was born.
“We want to honor him and his vision of starting a market here in Crestline,” Johnstone explained.
While the 14-month rebuilding journey for the family has been a challenge, Johnstone said they were able to keep 75 percent of the staff. “We have great people here, and we’re pleased we were able to keep so many.”
One of the new features shoppers will find is a pizza oven in the expanded deli section.
“This is like the pizza oven we have in our Redlands store and the public really enjoys it,” he said.
Employees work to fill the new produce department with a variety of fresh items.
The fresh vegetables section of the store has been expanded and the display, from carrots to celery and everything in between, is presented with a more open feel.
The meat department’s centerpiece is the dry-aged beef display, and Goodwin’s butchers will cut to order.
The eating area is not yet open to the public because a lift for the disabled is back ordered.
Sharon Behringer is ready at her ice cream station, prepared to whip up fresh sodas, ice cream treats or thick malts.
The bakery will feature many of Goodwin’s customers’ favorites, and fresh bread will be available daily, Johnstone added.
“The family and our employees have really put their hearts into the new store, and we are ready for our customers to come in and shop,” he said. “Everything is here, and right here in Crestline.”
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