Beautiful weather, a large crowd and an enthusiastic store team set the stage Sept. 30 as Lin’s and Ace Hardware held a grand opening in Enoch, Utah. Local students, community leaders, company representatives and guests from across Iron County joined in celebrating the new store.
The outdoor ceremony followed a strong opening for both stores. Ace Hardware opened Sept. 14, and Lin’s welcomed its first customers on Sept. 21. Community members lined up before Lin’s opened its doors, creating an energetic atmosphere as team members welcomed guests into the new store. The enthusiastic response continued into the grand-opening celebration.
Elizabeth Barnett, communications and public relations lead for Associated Food Stores, welcomed guests and served as master of ceremonies. Southern Utah University ROTC presented the colors, Canyon View High School students performed the national anthem, and Enoch Elementary School students led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ARO Vice President Greg Welling presented a $2,000 donation to Canyon View High School and another $2,000 donation to Enoch Elementary School to provide much-appreciated funds and to reinforce the company’s commitment to supporting the communities it serves.
Greg was joined by Enoch Mayor Geoffrey Rushton, Ace Hardware Enoch Manager Brendon Noble and District Manager Steve Holm for remarks about the new stores and the people who made them possible. Several speakers became emotional as they reflected on the work behind the project, the team’s commitment and what the opening means for Enoch.
Store Director Rochelle Mellor enthusiastically introduced the Lin’s Enoch leadership “starting lineup.” The energy filled presentation, which included high fives from SUU’s cheerleaders, mascot and football team, put team members in the spotlight and drew a strong response from the crowd.
“This store has been years in the making, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the community’s excitement and support,” Rochelle said. “Our team has worked hard to create a welcoming neighborhood store where families can find quality products, friendly service and a connection to their community. We are grateful for the warm welcome Enoch has already shown us and look forward to serving our guests for years to come.”
The 48,000-square-foot market is the eighth Lin’s location and includes a pharmacy, Starbucks, Arctic Circle and BreadBot, along with fresh produce, a from-scratch bakery, full-service grocery and deli departments, and a butcher block. The adjoining Ace Hardware adds another 17,000 square feet to the development.
Although grocery stores have changed, speakers emphasized that their place in a community has not. A neighborhood market is still where families shop, neighbors cross paths and relationships grow — an idea that has guided Lin’s since Lin and Reva Orton opened the first Lin’s Market in Cedar City in 1955.
“Lin’s started in Iron County more than 70 years ago, and we’re proud to open a beautiful new Lin’s store here in Enoch,” Greg said. “What excites me most isn’t the building. It’s the people who will shop here, work here and make this store part of their lives. We’re honored to be here and proud to be part of Enoch’s future.”
Community and company leaders joined representatives from Lin’s and Ace Hardware for the ribbon cutting. Guests then headed inside to sample products, shop and explore the new stores.
More than a decade after ARO last built a new store from the ground up, the Enoch project became a true “One Associated” effort. Steve Miner and the MDI team helped identify the site, while Steve and Jared Mitchell and Jordon Lefevre devoted countless hours to the project before construction began. Jan Whiteley, director of construction, helped lead the yearslong work from concept to completion.
Many others helped prepare the stores and make the grand opening memorable. Jade Romano and Alice Grace played key roles in planning and executing the celebration, coordinating the ceremony flow, music and ribbon cutting while overseeing signage, sampling areas and on-site setup. Jade and other marketing team members also helped create a décor package that reflects the store and the community it serves. Kelly Rogers provided the finishing touches that help make each project feel special, while Mark Lefevre and Mike Cameron devoted countless hours behind the scenes to bring the work across the finish line. Steve Holm, Anthony Simmons and the entire ARO team supported the project throughout, and Store Director Rochelle Mellor and her team prepared to welcome and serve the Enoch community. These acknowledgments represent only part of the story.
Thanks go to every team member, department and business partner whose contributions, whether visible at the celebration or completed behind the scenes, helped make this project possible.
