TODAY'S OPENING HOURS 8:00AM - 9:00PM
TODAY'S OPENING HOURS 8:00AM - 9:00PM
From fresh fruit and vegetables to specialty groceries, Alexander Heights Fresh serves a mix of everyday shopping needs and harder-to-find favourites. For shift supervisor Reanna Kemp, who has been part of the team for nearly five years, it’s the people who make working here so enjoyable.
We caught up with Reanna to find out what happens before the shop opens, what customers come back for and which treats make it into her own shopping basket.
Tell us a little about Alexander Heights Fresh.
We’re a local, small business fruit and veg shop, with produce coming directly from the market, so we’re cutting out the middleman. We also have a variety of international groceries and confectionery, including Middle Eastern and European sections. There are quite a few things here that the bigger stores don’t supply, so people come in specifically for those.
You’ve been here nearly five years. What does a typical morning look like for you?
I start at 7.45am, so I can get some cleaning and produce cutting done before the store opens. After that, I come out onto the floor and look after the stock. We all have different areas of the store that we work in. I have my regular jobs, but every day is a little different which I love.
There’s a lot of fresh produce to look after. How does the team stay on top of it?
We go through every single product, every single morning. The boys are here from 6am, and they handle everything on display to make sure it’s fresh. We put a lot of time into it.
What do customers come in for most?
Watermelons and bananas are our biggest daily sellers. Tomatoes are very popular too. On the grocery side, it’s a bit of everything. We have specialty items that people come looking for, including Middle Eastern foods such as pickles and pickled vegetables.
We also bring in certain products for occasions like Ramadan and Orthodox Easter, so customers can find special things for those times of year.
And what’s your personal favourite?
At the moment, it would have to be honey almond nougat – that’s my little treat (I’m addicted to it!). We also have the best range of Dubai chocolate, and I do like to treat myself to that too.
What do you enjoy most about working here?
The team and the customers for sure – it’s really such a great community here. We’ve gotten to know a lot of the people who come in, and we’re on first name terms with many of them. I also enjoy the variety. There’s always something different happening.
What keeps you busy outside the store?
I’m a mum, so that’s another job! I usually finish at one, which gives me time to pick up some things for dinner before the kids come home from school. Then there’s usually sport afterwards – my son plays football and my daughter plays netball. I love that my job provides the flexibility for this.
Finally, how would you describe being part of this local business?
We are a passionate and dedicated team, and we genuinely love our customers. It’s just a lovely little place to work.
Next time you’re visiting the centre, pop into Alexander Heights Fresh and say hello to Reanna and the team.
Visit Alexander Heights Fresh store details