The new Grocery Outlet in north Turlock celebrated its official grand opening on Thursday, with hundreds of shoppers braving the inclement weather — and a jam-packed parking lot — for bargains, prizes, and a chance to win free groceries for life.

Owners Mike and Denise Buchta were joined by Mayor Amy Bublak, District 4 Councilmember Erika Phillips, and city Economic Development Director Anthony Sims for a ribbon-cutting ceremony inside the 2,400-square-foot store, located at 3101 Geer Rd., in the Valley View Shopping Center.

It’s the seventh Grocery Outlet in Stanislaus County and second in Turlock. This store will employee 40 workers.

The Buchtas formerly owned the Grocery Outlet across town at 1330 W. Main St., and each have been in the grocery business for more than two decades.

“I was a cashier at a Walmart in Las Vegas,” said Denise.

“And I was an overnight stocker at a Walmart in Hot Springs, Arkansas; and we both worked our way up to became store managers,” said Mike. “She managed the Madera Walmart and I managed the Fresno Walmart, and that’s how we met."

The Grocery Outlet doors opened at 7 a.m., though the Buchtas — who have five children and a seventh grandchild on the way — were up and ready for work hours before that.

“We love being able to provide our customers with quality low-priced foods,” said Mike. “They tell us that every day. Just walking through the door today they were so thankful that we’re able to provide that for them on this side of town.”
For Denise, it’s all about the interaction with customers.

“Over the last three weeks, there was something missing,” said Denise. “And it was the customers. The store is beautiful, but it was missing that one element. And being able to have them back in the store was great. We saw so many familiar faces.”

Thursday’s celebration included gift card giveaways, with the first 100 customers receiving a Bliss Buck gift card for anywhere from $5 to $500. Shoppers also received a free reusable bag with their purchase.

But the big attraction was the groceries for life.

Customers can enter the Free Groceries for Life sweepstakes by using the Grocery Outlet app for chances to win a range of prizes, from free groceries for a month to free groceries for life. The sweepstakes is open until March 31, and the more you purchase at the store, the more chances you have to win. Purchases of Grocery Outlet brand products are worth extra points.

During the event, the Buchtas donated $1,000 to the Turlock Police Department Explorer Program and Turlock Unified School District’s Family Resource Center.

The Flores family of Turlock — Isidro, Stella, and daughters Gabriella and Isabella — exited the store with a bag full of groceries just as the rain subsided.

“We got a coupon for $5 off, plus a reusable bag,” said Stella, who said she normally shops at Costco or Winco in Modesto. “We were very impressed.”