Staff Reports

Valley Grande Market will be under new management starting Monday.

Tom Lee, current owner of the market, said after the store closes at it’s normal time today, it would change into the hands of David Oliver.

“We will be closed Monday and Tuesday while we do the electronic changeover,” said Lee. “There will be a new format that will not be in place immediately due to the time it takes to restructure the store.”

Lee said there would be a short transfer period of a week to 10 days in which he would stay and help.

“It was part of the agreement for us to assist in the transfer,” said Lee. “So people shouldn’t be confused if they come in on Wednesday and find me here working.”

Lee said he was excited for someone else to take over the store.

“When I bought this shopping center, I had no intention of being a grocery store owner,” said Lee. “Something happened with the people I was leasing it to, so I had to take the responsibility. It will be exciting to see someone with a background I grocery stores run this place.”

Lee, who also owns the Chuckwagon Stakehouse, said he would begin to focus on the restaurant.

“Our first goal is to get a Sunday buffet dinner in place,” said Lee. “We don’t have one of those in (Valley Grande). After that we just have to see.”

David Oliver could not be reached for comment.