The business model for convenience stores has changed rapidly in recent years. In order to remain competitive, stores are finding it necessary to move far beyond offering a limited selection of groceries. Now, they need to meet the challenge of building larger, modernized facilities that can offer both freshly prepared meals and a comfortable place to relax and enjoy them.
As High’s Dairy Stores started to renovate their existing locations, they realized their Manchester store posed a unique challenge. Its location and level of competition required it to remain open and serve customers while undergoing a full renovation.
This is the kind of project our team at PBI truly enjoys. For 30 years, we’ve taken on unique challenges like this where ensuring minimal disruption to an occupied space is critical. We took a consultative approach to help High’s develop a phased plan with an aggressive timeline.
Here are just a few of the challenges this renovation presented as customers continued to use the store:
- We performed extensive interior and exterior excavation and controlled demolition.
- That process allowed us to upgrade and relocate their utilities to meet the new demands on their store, most notably the addition of a commercial kitchen.
- Two fully ADA-compliant, family friendly restrooms were added.
- New indoor and outdoor seating areas were added as well.
And now, High’s #23 is serving fresh fried chicken, crab cakes, rock fish, and hand-spun milk shakes which are ordered through a customized, touch screen ordering system. The fresh, new look of the building and the additional amenities have locals driving past the competition and leaving High’s with a full tank of gas and a fresh meal.
