Cumberland Farms opens new store, supports J-DAPA

Posted

Back in 1939, Vasilios and Aphrodite Haseotes had a cow, a dream and their farm in Cumberland.

Since that time, Cumberland Farms has grown into a network of convenience stores across 11 states, but it remains family owned.

Tuesday, dozens upon dozens of Johnstonians turned out at 2643 Hartford Ave. to sample new foods like pizza, grilled hot dogs and fried favorites all featured within Cumberland Farms newest location, a 4,600-square-foot, state-of-the-art convenience store.

“We’ve been at this location for years,” said Rick Lauder, a Johnston resident and regional manager. “The company decided to completely tear down the existing store and build this beautiful facility – a modernized design and architectural features to better serve our customers.”

Cumberland Farms’ newest store is employing between 15 and 20 full and part-time employees and features 10 filling positions for gas.

There’s yet another side to Cumberland Farms that Tuesday brought a host of area residents to the official ribbon cutting/grand opening.

“Cumberland Farms believes in being part of the community,” Lauder told an attentive audience outside the new store. “Cumberland Farms believes in giving back to the community where we have stores. The company is proud to support mostly youth oriented organizations within the towns where we are located.”

Tuesday was living proof, as Cumberland Farms kicked off a month-long program that will donate 10 cents from every cup of dispensed beverage sold at the store for the next four weeks.

From July 8 though Aug. 5, Johnston Dance and Performing Arts (J-DAPA) will receive 10 cents from those beverages, which include iced coffee, hot coffee, brewed tea, fountain soda and frozen chill zone.

Moreover, Cumberland Farms welcomed founder/director Donna Tellier and 50 J-DAPA performers who sang and danced outside the store for an hour Tuesday as part of the day’s festivities.

“We’re honored to help J-DAPA,” Lauder told the audience. “Donna Tellier has done so much for this organization and its children. We’re honored to invite her to cut the ribbon and make the opening of this beautiful store official.”

Lauder, who was assisted Tuesday by Cumberland Farms marketing associate Matt Balaschi, added: “J-DAPA has been promoting a love and appreciation for the arts through involving performers of all ages from all parts of the state, and for that we have Donna to thank.”

“This is such a great opportunity for our kids and the program,” Tellier said. “We will be informed on how much will be raised every week. It will be exciting for our performers and members to see week by week how much will be raised and to see how much closer we come to making another J-DAPA dream come true.”

Balaschi actually contacted Tellier about Cumberland Farms’ special giving back program, which Tellier said J-DAPA will use in its ongoing effort to keep the arts alive and update the auditorium at Johnston High School.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here