Dean family celebrates official grand opening of newest grocery store

It's hard to believe that a grocery store can do so much to restore a sense of hope and community pride.

But, that's exactly what the Dean family has done by opening its fourth Mike Dean's Super Food Store in the heart of Bourget.

The store was jam-packed with customers, politicians, and members of the Dean family in celebration of the official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony, which was held Saturday morning.

It's obvious that residents are happy to have a grocery store in their community once again. When Valu-Mart closed its doors in February 2008, residents were left with little choice but to travel outside the community to do their shopping. The closest communities with grocery stores were Rockland, to the north, and Casselman, to the south.

"Grocery shopping became a big hassle once Valu-Mart closed down," said area resident Claudette Pilon. "Instead of taking 15 or 20 minutes, it took part of the day because I had to travel outside the community. It was a real pain, so you can imagine how happy everyone was when the Dean's opened this store."

Mike Dean's Super Food Store officially opened its doors on December 19 after 10 months of renovations and preparations. The independent store is the fourth of its kind and joins the Dean family's small, but growing, chain of stores in Vankleek Hill, Winchester and Chesterville.

Located on Laval Street in Bourget, the 11,600 square-foot store features large produce and meat departments, as well as a bakery. The goal, Dean noted, is to offer brand name products at warehouse prices and, as a result, shoppers can look forward to numerous weekly specials that won't leave their pockets empty.

Denis Bélanger and Serge Lortie, who have owned the building since 1976, played a big part in the opening of the store.

"When Valu-Mart closed, we spend a year and a half trying to find (a grocery store) that was interested in setting up here," Bélanger said. "The Dean's were the only ones interested, but we were thrilled. We invested well over $250,000 in renovation to help bring the Dean's to Bourget. We are pleased to be part of this wonderful occasion."

In a recent press release, Gordon Dean, son of Mike Dean, noted that Bourget was the "ideal location" for a store.

"There was a big void left in the community with the closure of Valu-Mart," Dean noted in the press release. "We don't want to open stores in communities that already have big stores. We like being the community grocery store."

The store also features a video rental outlet, where shoppers can pick up the latest new releases along with their groceries.

"In these challenging economic times, it is incredibly rewarding to see hard working families, such as the Dean family, prosper, thrive and reinvest in our community," said Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MP Pierre Lemieux, who was on hand at Saturday's official grand opening.

Lemieux noted the store not only bring a new presence to the heart of the village, but also the strength and knowledge the Dean family has gained from being in operation for the past 34 years.

"I want Bourget to grow and succeed," he stated. "Success in small communities doesn't only come from government investments and funding, it also comes from vibrant local businesses. The Deans are known to be team players in our area and today, we are grateful to be part of their team."

Lemieux announced that the Dean's would be receiving $25,000 from the Prescott-Russell Community Development Corporation for the training of its new employees.

Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Jean-Marc Lalonde was also in attendance and noted the Dean's have fulfilled "a great need in the community.

"People shouldn't have to travel so far to do their groceries," he commented. "We are always trying to encourage people to shop locally, to support local businesses. Now, thanks to you, the citizens of Bourget can do that."

Clarence-Rockland mayor Richard Lalonde said he, along with several others, lobbied hard for a new grocery store in the small community and was proud to see the hard work paid off.

"So many people here support you and are so grateful for what you have brought to the community," Lalonde remarked. "We are so pleased to have you here and we believe this is the start of a brand new Bourget. Many more businesses will be encouraged because of what you have done here."

The Dean family was also presented with a special plaque, created by Jane's Sewing Shop and signed by numerous area residents, thanking them for opening the store in Bourget and inspiring other businesses to do the same.