By Laura Keil
Valemount IGA is slated to have temporary air conditioning units installed this week, as an interim measure to help fix the ongoing overheating problem at the store, said Mark McCurdy, VP Retail Operations and Brand Strategy with Georgia Main Food Group, which owns the store.
“Our refrigeration company has been on site for 3 days to perform an assessment on each piece of refrigeration equipment,” he said Friday morning. “Our goal by today is to have all cases fully operational.”
He said the landlord is currently sourcing permanent A/C units.
McCurdy previously told the Goat that the major heat wave at the end of June and beginning of July and a recent roof repair that sealed air flow trapped heat in the building and knocked out a compressor.
McCurdy said in the meantime the store is trying to create a safe environment for customers and staff. Regarding food safety, he said all coolers are checked hourly to ensure they maintain the proper temperature.
“Any food that was in harm’s way we had to throw out. Unfortunately we had to dispose of most of our fresh products.”
Anything that has gone bad can be exchanged and the customer should also receive a gift card in what he calls a “double guarantee.”
Two IGA representatives have been in Valemount for several weeks coordinating the effort to fix the refrigeration and overheating issues.
He notes the store is short on staff and they have postings out for many positions.
Currently store hours are 10 a.m – 8 p.m. 7 days a week.
“This will be fluid based on equipment maintaining its operational function and staffing of the store,” McCurdy said.
