Norma and Joe Mazaika, center, get some help from her grandchildren Aleiyah Schwartz and Joseph Mazaika as they cut the ribbon at the newly remodeled Mountain Fresh Market in Hunlock Creek, PA. Son Joe Jr. and daughter Kim Schwartz are pictured at right.
Mountain Fresh Market in Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania recently unveiled its newly remodeled and expanded store with a new décor saluting the area's scenic and historic roots.
The supermarket is more than double its original size, expanding from 18,000 to 43,000 square feet. All departments feature larger product assortments, while a café and beer department are new additions.
Owner Norma Mazaika says they started construction on the store in 2013; however, many delays pushed completion to April. The store was able to stay open throughout the construction.
"We added a full variety of hot foods, salad and soup bars, plus the café and Ace Hardware," she says.
For the décor, Mazaika worked with Broden Design Group, based in Denville, New Jersey.
"I wanted to show the historical significance of the area," she says. "I gave them my ideas and they took it from there."
Mazaika explained that lumber camps and loggers cleared the area, and businessman Asa Packer built the railroad, which made it possible for the ice harvested from nearby lakes to be shipped to Philadelphia. Department signs with a wood façade acknowledge that heritage. Nearby Ricketts Glen State Park is known for its waterfalls, so a small waterfall is displayed as shoppers enter the store. It also features many hiking trails, so each aisle is named for a different trail.
She expects the new café and beer department to appeal to visitors in the area. It's an added convenience for shoppers to pick up a six-pack and prepared foods to consume as they enjoy the lakes and state parks.
Mazaika learned the food business from her uncle, who owned a store. She worked for him while she was studying nursing. She eventually obtained her M.S. degree in Nursing and married her husband Joe, who had also worked in a family business.
"In our 30s, my husband and I always said we would go into the food business," she says.
They opened their 18,000 square foot store on November 10, 1993, and have weathered many storms in their remote Pennsylvania town, including two blizzards. Today, Mountain Fresh Market is known for its fresh meat, produce and smoked meats, which they make in the store. Their children, Joe Jr. and Kim Schwartz both work for the company. Joe Jr. works as the store manager and Kim is the office manager.
Mountain Fresh Market hosted food tastings, special sales and an appearance by Smokey the Bear for their grand reopening.
"After 23 years, the store was due for a remodel," Mazaika says. "We hope to pass it on to our children some day."
The supermarket is more than double its original size, expanding from 18,000 to 43,000 square feet. All departments feature larger product assortments, while a café and beer department are new additions.
Owner Norma Mazaika says they started construction on the store in 2013; however, many delays pushed completion to April. The store was able to stay open throughout the construction.
"We added a full variety of hot foods, salad and soup bars, plus the café and Ace Hardware," she says.
For the décor, Mazaika worked with Broden Design Group, based in Denville, New Jersey.
"I wanted to show the historical significance of the area," she says. "I gave them my ideas and they took it from there."
Mazaika explained that lumber camps and loggers cleared the area, and businessman Asa Packer built the railroad, which made it possible for the ice harvested from nearby lakes to be shipped to Philadelphia. Department signs with a wood façade acknowledge that heritage. Nearby Ricketts Glen State Park is known for its waterfalls, so a small waterfall is displayed as shoppers enter the store. It also features many hiking trails, so each aisle is named for a different trail.
She expects the new café and beer department to appeal to visitors in the area. It's an added convenience for shoppers to pick up a six-pack and prepared foods to consume as they enjoy the lakes and state parks.
Mazaika learned the food business from her uncle, who owned a store. She worked for him while she was studying nursing. She eventually obtained her M.S. degree in Nursing and married her husband Joe, who had also worked in a family business.
"In our 30s, my husband and I always said we would go into the food business," she says.
They opened their 18,000 square foot store on November 10, 1993, and have weathered many storms in their remote Pennsylvania town, including two blizzards. Today, Mountain Fresh Market is known for its fresh meat, produce and smoked meats, which they make in the store. Their children, Joe Jr. and Kim Schwartz both work for the company. Joe Jr. works as the store manager and Kim is the office manager.
Mountain Fresh Market hosted food tastings, special sales and an appearance by Smokey the Bear for their grand reopening.
"After 23 years, the store was due for a remodel," Mazaika says. "We hope to pass it on to our children some day."
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