Price Cutter Adds 34th Store
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Employee-owned RPCS Inc. here -- parent company of Ramey, Price Cutter, Price Cutter Plus and Smitty's stores - added another unit to its growing base with the acquisition of Dave's IGA in Springfield. The deal brings the chain's total number of stores to 34 and pharmacies to 20.
"We've had a lot of requests for Price Cutter to establish more of a presence on the northwest side of Springfield, and this location is perfect," said Erick Taylor, RPCS president and c.e.o. "It's an older, well established neighborhood, and many of these folks have shopped at this store since it was part of Consumers Market."
Former owner Dave Wingerter had purchased the store in May of 1999 following a 25-year career with Consumers Markets, at one time the industry leader in the area.
With no plans to retire, Wingerter will continue his career in store management with Price Cutter.
"When you're an independent grocer, you do it all. Human resources, purchasing, accounting - it's all up to the owner. I'm looking forward to cutting back and working fewer hours so that I can spend more time with my family," Wingerter said.
The only remaining independent IGA store in Springfield is now Smillie's IGA.
While RPCS Inc. employees and vendors reset the store to reflect the look of other Price Cutter stores, the store will remain open for business. Remodeling began this week.
"We'll keep the feel of the neighborhood grocery store that so many customers are used to, but add hundreds of new items as well," said Rob Marsh, director of planning and development for RPCS Inc. "A few of the biggest improvements customers will notice are expanded frozen foods, a new full-service deli with hot and cold foods, and a bakery."
RPCS Inc.'s 34 stores now include eight Price Cutter Plus stores - three in Springfield, one in Nixa, Ozark, Joplin and Waynesville, and one currently undergoing renovations in Republic. In addition, the store operates Ramey, Price Cutter and Smitty's stores in southern Missouri, one Save-A-Lot store in Arkansas, and 20 pharmacies.
"We've had a lot of requests for Price Cutter to establish more of a presence on the northwest side of Springfield, and this location is perfect," said Erick Taylor, RPCS president and c.e.o. "It's an older, well established neighborhood, and many of these folks have shopped at this store since it was part of Consumers Market."
Former owner Dave Wingerter had purchased the store in May of 1999 following a 25-year career with Consumers Markets, at one time the industry leader in the area.
With no plans to retire, Wingerter will continue his career in store management with Price Cutter.
"When you're an independent grocer, you do it all. Human resources, purchasing, accounting - it's all up to the owner. I'm looking forward to cutting back and working fewer hours so that I can spend more time with my family," Wingerter said.
The only remaining independent IGA store in Springfield is now Smillie's IGA.
While RPCS Inc. employees and vendors reset the store to reflect the look of other Price Cutter stores, the store will remain open for business. Remodeling began this week.
"We'll keep the feel of the neighborhood grocery store that so many customers are used to, but add hundreds of new items as well," said Rob Marsh, director of planning and development for RPCS Inc. "A few of the biggest improvements customers will notice are expanded frozen foods, a new full-service deli with hot and cold foods, and a bakery."
RPCS Inc.'s 34 stores now include eight Price Cutter Plus stores - three in Springfield, one in Nixa, Ozark, Joplin and Waynesville, and one currently undergoing renovations in Republic. In addition, the store operates Ramey, Price Cutter and Smitty's stores in southern Missouri, one Save-A-Lot store in Arkansas, and 20 pharmacies.