Sam Patch Grocers & Sundries celebrated its grand opening last week in Wellsville, drawing a large crowd and enthusiastic response from the community.
The 23,000-square-foot store, located at 825 E. Main St. near Highway 89 and just northeast of Maverik, officially celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 12. Residents gathered outside the store, filling the parking lot as local leaders, vendors and families took part in the celebration.
Owned by Mike Baldwin of Wellsville and Jason Hurd of Tremonton, the store offers fresh food, groceries and fuel for residents in the southern part of Cache Valley. Baldwin, joined by his wife Tammy and their children, thanked the community for its support and recognized the builders and partners who helped bring the project to life. The Wellsville location is the second Sam Patch store for Hurd, whose family also owns a location in Island Park, Idaho.
“The store is named after Sam Patch, a daredevil who made some big jumps in his life,” Baldwin said during the ceremony. “It felt like a big jump of faith to open a store like this in Wellsville.”
Wellsville Mayor Thomas Bailey welcomed the new business and encouraged residents to support it, noting the investment Baldwin has made in the community. After the ribbon was cut, attendees were treated to free hamburgers and hot dogs, while Santa Claus made a surprise appearance for children. Vendors including Monster Energy and Sara Lee Bakery handed out samples, and additional product tastings were offered inside the store. Basketball players from Utah State University came later in the evening to sign autographs and participate in shooting contests.
Sam Patch Grocers & Sundries features a deli, produce, meat department and household staples, along with what owners describe as a hands-on, neighborly approach to customer service. A Chevron fuel station is also located on site.
The store operates as part of the Associated Food Stores brand and is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.