Patrick Goldsmith, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Edithburgh has an operational supermarket for the first time in 14 years, with the new IGA officially opened last Wednesday, November 8.

Large crowds greeted the staff, including owner-operators Ron and Peta Turnbull, for their first day, as Yorke Peninsula Council mayor Darren Braund cut a ribbon to commemorate the occasion.

The store at 11-13 Edith Street was last operational in 2009; Mr and Mrs Turnbull purchased the property in November 2021.

“Opening the doors and seeing a lot of local people come through, and just their first reaction to it, as well as their feedback on coming through, was great,” Mr Turnbull said.

“They were saying just how excited they were to have a supermarket back in the town.

“We think we’ve presented a high-quality store with a great range and great prices as well.”

Mr Turnbull said they had squeezed in as much range as possible so people should be able to find almost exactly what they’re looking for.

He thanked everyone involved in getting the building project complete, and those who give him confidence in the business going forward.

“We’ve been very fortunate to gain some staff with good experience and good skills,” he said.

“We were also so lucky to be able to use local tradespeople — building, electrical, data, security — we’ve pretty much used exclusively locals and probably the furthest was Moonta.

“That’s good for us and for our communities.”

The store is open just in time for the busy summer season.

Mr Turnbull also thanked Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis for helping to navigate an issue with SA Power Networks.

“I’d like to think tourists will also have a better time when they come here now, because they won’t have to go as far to get things,” Mr Turnbull said.

Mr Braund congratulated the team behind the venture and paid homage to the previous custodians of the Edithburgh supermarket, his family.

“The store holds special significance for me because my family ran it for 73 years, purchasing it in 1931 and my grandma working there for 70 years,” he said.

“I was pleased to see it reopen, with my son there on staff too.

“It was a great moment for Edithburgh and a special moment for me as well, to be asked to be part of the opening.” 

This article appeared in the Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 14 November 2023.