Hank’s Market opened before this ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Hank’s Market, the new grocery store in east Oak Ridge, opened Tuesday. It’s in the space formerly used by Food Lion on Emory Valley Road.
It’s the second Hank’s store. The original store is in Washington, Indiana.
Hank’s has been interested in the former Food Lion site since Food Lion closed its Oak Ridge store last summer, said Tony Malanga, an East Tennessee-based district manager for the parent company, Houchens Food Group in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
“We had an opportunity with the Food Lion closing here,” Malanga said at a Tuesday morning ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
The new store opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday, and it is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
The store sells produce, dairy, meat, and has a meat and cheese deli and pastries, among other items, he said. Malanga said Hank’s has about 50 employees, great prices, personable service, and warm, friendly decor.
“It’s taking a step back in time,” Malanga said. “It’s how grocery stores used to be.”
Market research showed a need for a grocery store at the Emory Valley Road location.
“We feel this concept is perfect for the needs of this community,” Malanga said.
The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce has been talking to Houchens since 2003, including at another location and with another grocery line, said Parker Hardy, Chamber president.
“I think they saw this as a great opportunity,” Hardy said.
Malanga said Houchens’ other lines include Save-a-lot, Price Less Foods, and Hometown IGA.
Nearby resident Chris Johnson said his family is thrilled to have a grocery store closer to home, and Hank’s has a great selection for cooking fresh.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today
Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today
Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today
Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Philip W Nipper says
As a nearby resident, its great to have a grocery store within walking distance again. I hope Hank’s will do a better than average job at at pleasing those of us that have a “fine beak”.