Fresh start for Urana as much-missed supermarket returns to town

Urana's new supermarket is open and in business - 4 years on from when it's predecessor was destroyed in a fire. IMAGE: Supplied Ralph Emery IMAGE: Supplied Ralph Emery

Four years after fire destroyed Urana's only supermarket, locals once again have a place to pick up groceries close to home.

The new local grocery store, opened by Urana's Pat Bourke and family, welcomed its first customers this week, restoring an essential service that had been missing since the former IGA was lost in a fire.

Pat said the response from the community so far had exceeded expectations, with strong local support and plenty of excitement surrounding the reopening.

"It's been really, really good," he said, speaking with FlowFM's Jessica Dempster on the Country Viewpoint.

"There's been a lot of excitement around and we've been well supported by locals and by a lot of people I don't know. It's been fantastic."

IMAGE: Supplied Ralph Emery

The original supermarket had been operated by the Ciccia family for more than 30 years before it was destroyed in a fire in April 2022.

While residents eventually adapted to life without a local grocery store, many were forced to travel close to 50 kilometres to Lockhart or even further to Corowa or Albury-Wodonga for their shopping.

Pat said the biggest challenge to come from that wasn't necessarily the travel, but the everyday convenience people often take for granted.

"It's all those little things people forget when they're shopping," he said.

"Whether it's orange juice or something you need for dinner that night, you have to be really organised and buy for a week or two at a time."

Inside the new store. IMAGE: Supplied Ralph Emery

With the new store now open, beyond providing just groceries, Pat said it has already become an important meeting place for the town.

"It's a social hub," he said.

"People come in, do their shopping and have a chat. That's been happening a lot over the last couple of days. It's good to have that buzz around again."

He said his and his family's decision to open the supermarket came from a desire to protect the town's future and maintain the services that make Urana an attractive place to live.

Already a local business owner, in a shop located across the road from the former IGA, Pat said they felt like they had the perfect opportunity to convert an existing building rather than starting from scratch.

"We knew we wanted to do something because it's very important for the community," he said.

"We've been very fortunate to raise our family here. The community has always supported us and it's nice to be able to give something back."

Urana's new supermarket is open and in business - 4 years on from when it's predecessor was destroyed in a fire. IMAGE: Supplied Ralph Emery

Pat added the store's opening would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of his staff.

"They've just been amazing," he said.

Looking ahead, Pat hopes the supermarket will continue to grow alongside the town and complement other local businesses and services.

"If we can make things better somehow, I'm always keen to try and improve," he said. "We'll just wait and see."