Lots Of Changes In Store For Thriftway Market In Neligh

Big changes are ahead for Thriftway Market in Neligh, in both leadership and in what’s offered to customers.

Thriftway Market owner and manager Lynne Bichlmeier will retire at the end of the month, which she said provides an opportunity for restructuring leadership.

Perry Smith will serve as the floor manager as well as the liaison between the Neligh and Tilden locations. Donnelle Weed will assume role of social media manager, and Rhonda Schwager will continue as frozen foods manager besides taking on the role of office manager.

Other department managers taking on added responsibility, Bichlmeier said, are: Gaye Lewis, meat manager; Tim Anderson, grocery manager; Nikki Kallhoff, dairy manager, Marian Shabram, bakery manager and head cashier; and Tanya Chelle, produce manager

Along with the transition of leadership, customers will notice other additions to the services offered at Thriftway Market in Neligh. Launching soon is the online shopping service where customers will be able to select groceries online and pick up their sacked goods.

"We are not sure when it’s going to launch, but we plan on doing some online shopping just for the Neligh store,” Weed said.

Customers can now also download the Thriftway Market app on smartphones to access weekly ads and coupons. Bonus coupons can be unlocked when customers turn on their Bluetooth devices and have the app open as they shop throughout the Neligh location.

“They can walk around the store, use their Bluetooth and have coupons pop up on their phone. It’s a great way to save money,” Weed said. Smith, who was referred to as a the face of Thriftway, said the newly added hardware section has already been a great addition to the store. Bichlmeier said Thriftway added the section with everything from tools and paint products to provide extended access during the evenings and on Sundays.

“It’s providing a need when the other businesses are closed - at night and on Sundays,” Bichlmeier said. “We don’t want to compete with the other businesses.”

Smith also mentioned that they are now taking orders for holiday gift baskets and snack boxes.

Thriftway Market will be open on Thanksgiving morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.