This Friday marks three years since Sam Singla and his family arrived in Lakes Entrance to take ownership of the Foodworks store.
Sam had a computer business before making the decision to immigrate to Australia.
“My daughter was coming to Australia to study, plus my wife has many relatives here, so we made the decision to move,” Sam said.
“We loved Lakes from the start and felt that Australia held more opportunities for us.”
Their daughter has now finished her university studies and they have another daughter in grade six at St Brendan’s Primary School.
With no experience in the supermarket field, Sam and his wife were on a steep learning curve.
He is very appreciative of the staff over the past three years, many of whom have been at the store for 25 years or more, for being so supportive in the beginning and now.
“Staff enjoy working with Sam,” staff member, Joy Goodman, said.
“He is always open to discuss any issues and takes the time to listen and resolve matters.
“Many of the staff have been here for a long time and feel like this is home.”
Sam says the strength of the store is its ability to serve the community, so if something isn’t on the shelf or someone wants an unusual product they can try to source it for the customer.
“We are able to be flexible to the customer’s needs. One example is that we have a fully qualified butcher in store so we can do special cuts at the request of the customer,” Sam said.
“We like to support local businesses and source produce from local growers as much as possible, including milk and vegetables.”
Being an independent store they offer an extensive range of local wines, plus beer from the Bullant Brewery.
Sam is proud of the contribution the store has made to the town, particularly during the bushfires when it remained open and positive.
“Foodworks sponsors the netball club along with raffle donations to community groups and support to the schools,” he said.
“Now with the threat of COVID-19 we are doing many home deliveries to the elderly and even young families.
“The customers have generally been very good about the rules and regulations we all need to adhere to, they are happy to follow them.”
Over the past three years the store has gradually become busier and is now a go-to for many locals.
“People recognise that small and friendly is good, if customers walk in and see us smiling, they smile,” Joy said with a smile on her face.
Sam thanked the community for its support.
“Thanks for accepting us as part of the community, we will continue to serve in our capacity whatever best we can do,” Sam said.
IMAGE: Lakes Entrance Foodworks employee, Joy Goodman, serves loyal customer Linda Pettigrew. “It is close to my home and I can get everything I need,” Linda said.
