It was a double-opening event June 24 when tb!s bargain shop on 8th Avenue and the new, second tb!s express on 13th Street in Invermere held grand openings, both at 9 a.m.
The larger, locally-known tb!s on 8th Avenue has recently had an interior facelift — a project that took six weeks, according to store manager Leslie Hecher.
The stock room was expanded, the carpets in the aisles were removed, and new signage, product lines (such as automotive products and pet supplies) and new coolers and freezers were added.
“They all flow together,” said Hecher of the aisle set up. “Everything is adjacent to each other so products are easier to find. It’s also more open — customers have already told us that they find there’s a lot more room.”
The store’s hours have also expanded. It’s now open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony involved tb!s staff, Hecher, tb!s district manager George Demeiros, tb!s president Lloyd Davis, and District of Invermere mayor Gerry Taft.
At the same time, the new, second tb!s location was officially opened with yet another ribbon-cut on 13th Street. Tb!s executive vice president of operations Tom Mitchell, tb!s regional director Joe Strigl, store manager Tara McLaren and District of Invermere councillor Al Miller were on hand for the event.
The new tb!s express will “serve two types of shoppers and present unique things to try in its location,” according to Davis.
“We’re thrilled to be here in this community. We’re blown away by this town, it’s really a hidden gem and that’s something to be proud of, and we want to represent it. This additional store is the first second store in a location we’ve opened in years. There’s enough differentiation coming with this second store that we can attract a second kind of customer and see how things resonate.”
“The whole 13th Street is really filling up, we’re really impressed,” said Taft. “It’s exciting to have more retail in Invermere.”
As for what makes the second tb!s a different experience, Mitchell says it is because the store will be very seasonal.
“It will better serve seasonal residents and everyone else as well,” said Mitchell.
“It’s an easier shopping experience and is also built for speed, so people can get in and get out, especially in a community as lovely as this, where people really enjoy the outdoors.”