A high-tech, drive-thru grocery store with a retro theme and big ambitions has opened its first location.
Opie Drive-Thru Grocery has unveiled its first location, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It’s the first of three stores planned for the Charleston, South Carolina area. (The company name comes from “The Andy Griffith Show” television series which ran in the 1960s. Andy’s son, played by Ron Howard, was named Opie.)
Opie, which bills itself as an ultra-fast convenience grocery store, is open 24 hours, seven days a week. Unlike most other stores that offer online grocery pickup, customers do not have to schedule ahead. Instead, they can pull into a parking spot at the store and order from their car using the Opie app. The order is brought out to the car minutes later and there are no fees or order minimums.
For smaller “express orders” customers can order directly with the clerks in the drive-thru lane. Shoppers can also order online on the grocer’s website.
The 3,000sq ft store features thousands of items, including fresh meats, produce and bakery items. It also has a substantial organic and natural selection.
“Convenience is hard to schedule,” said Scott Thomas, Director, Opie Charleston. “That’s why we’re open 24/7 and don’t require customers to schedule a pick-up time. Life is spontaneous, and our service responds to that.”
