Pat's Foods set to open Dec. 10 in Hurley

HURLEY — The owners of Pat’s Foods hope to open their grocery store in Hurley on Dec. 10.

Co-owner Ben Campioni, with his brother, Joe, decided to expand the front of the building, which was a grocery store before, to make more room to enhance the shopping experience.

Ben Campioni said the decision to extend the store’s floor space by building walls around what was a canopy in front of the building moved the projected opening date into December.

He said they will open when everything is ready and the staff is well-trained so the store can open with the best possible service and experience for the customer.

They expect to employ between 40 to 50 people.

Ben Campioni said the store will have a large meat and produce department, as well as deli and salad bar. They intend to stock the shelves with fresh, local and unique offerings unavailable in other local store.

One of these unique offerings will be a gluten-free section. Other specialty foods will also be found throughout the store, including organic coffee. Ben Campioni said bagged organic coffee is really becoming a draw.

The store will also offer a large selection of hardware items.

The Campionis own and operate grocery and-or hardware stores in Calumet, Hancock, Houghton, L’Anse, Ontonagon, Iron Mountain and Gladstone, as well as Florence, Wis .; and a convenience store in South Range.