thank you from fresh & easy

What an extraordinary few days.

On Wednesday morning we got together all our store employees for our Magic Monday (yes, I know, but it's normally a monday!), to talk about how fresh&easy neighborhood market was developed and what kind of business we're trying to be.

Late Wednesday afternoon we held a civic reception and press conference at our Glassell Park store ahead of the opening next morning, to show people around the store.

That evening we held a reception at a local hotel, to say thank you to our suppliers who have helped make this possible.

On Thursday morning at 10am, we held a short opening ceremony at 6 stores, and opened the doors.

Customers flooded in.

When you've given more than 2 years of your life to something, it's difficult to explain just how moving each of these events was, let alone the combination of them.

Of course, we'll find out over the next few weeks whether or not we've got it right, as customers vote with their feet.

But I'd like to thank all our people and all our suppliers for joining us on this adventure...

...and of course the neighborhoods where we've opened for making us feel so welcome.

It's certainly been a few days that I will never forget...