Groundbreaking ceremony first step in Santaquin’s quest for local market
For years Santaquin residents have asked, “will we ever get a grocery store here in town?” The answer to that question is now be, “yes.”
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Oct. 14 for the new Santaquin Market, the town’s first supermarket, on the corner of 100 North and Orchard Lane.
The store will be part of the Associated Foods Group, and plans for the building include an Ace Hardware store and a possible eating establishment with a drive-through window. There is no set date for the completion of the store, but officials are hopeful it will be open sometime before the end of the summer of 2020.
Those donning hardhats to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony included Santaquin Mayor Kirk Hunsaker, City Manager Ben Reeves, City Engineer Norm Beagley, Mark Ridley from Ridley’s Family Markets, members of the Santaquin City Council, and representatives from R & O Construction.
The turning of the dirt with golden shovels was completely ceremonial, as the actual work of clearing the lot had been done beforehand with the help of a bulldozer and excavator, which were still on site for the groundbreaking.
According to Santaquin Community Development Director Jason Bond, “This plan has been in the works for many, many years.”
In 2011, Main Street was widened west of Interstate 15, and a traffic light was put in at 400 East. Then, in 2014, a right-turn only lane for a new street, Orchard Lane, was added, which will provide an easy approach to the site of the new store. Current plans include the creation of a new street, 200 North, to allow better access for local residents.
And so, years of waiting by the citizens of Santaquin, and years of planning by city officials, are about to reach their culmination. Santaquin will finally have its own grocery store.
There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed. - Woodrow Wilson