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Ricco’s Cash & Carry brings wholesale prices to Bayham
By Jeff Helsdon Bayham Correspondent
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Imagine being able to get the prices of big box stores for groceries without having to travel to the city. Ricco’s Cash and Carry has brought that kind of pricing to Straffordville.
Located in the plaza in Straffordville, Ricco’s sells food and supplies at wholesale prices to the restaurant industry. The store also sells to the public.
Robert and Kari Hunter, who operate Cook’s Pizza, own the plaza in Straffordville on Plank Road. Looking for a business to fill an empty space in the plaza, they were given the idea by Don Windsor, who owns the cash and carry in Strathroy.
“My husband is also one of his salesman,”
Kari recounted. “They were discussing the sale of the building and said with the large families in the area he said why don’t you try that here.”
The family opened Ricco’s Cash and Carry on July 2, 2021. The store is open Monday through Saturday, closed only on Sundays.
Some of the items sold are frozen chicken breast, chicken wings, shrimp, fruit, vegetables, French fries, wedges, pre-made meals and desserts.
“With restaurant food it also saves time because it’s made quickly,” Kari said.
Some of the frozen items are broken into smaller portions for families that aren’t as large or who want to try an item.
Staples like flour, cooking oil and sugar are also available.
The Hunters have found the main customers are the public but they do have some food trucks and restaurants they supply. Kari said with the food shortages, restaurants are had to sometimes shop around to ensure they had enough food.
Asked if Ricco’s was more like Costco or a grocery store, Kari said, “It’s a little bit more like going to Costco except we don’t carry clothes,” she said. “We’re much faster than going to the grocery store.”
Ricco’s hasn’t been as busy as the Hunters were hoping but they realize it takes time for the word to get out.
“I found that with my other business,” Kari said. “It takes a long time to get peole to try it but one they do, they will keep coming.”
