First Grocery Store in Four Years Opens In Fairfax

There is a grocery store again in the Osage County community of Fairfax.

Wednesday, March 25th 2015, 10:42 am

By: News On 6

First Grocery Store in Four Years Opens In Fairfax

There is a grocery store again in the Osage County community of Fairfax.

The rural community is located on the southwest corner of the Osage Nation Reservation and since 2011 Fairfax residents have had to travel more than thirty minutes to purchase food at a grocery store.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday and Venture Foods opened for business Wednesday.

“I'm excited that we're going to have fresh foods and produce and we can eat healthier,” said Carol Conner, Fairfax resident.

Conner said for several years members of the community have had to purchase most of their food at a general store that stocks mostly processed and canned foods.

On Tuesday, Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear and Assistant Principal Chief Raymond Red Corn took part in the ribbon cutting with store owner Lane Moore, store employees and residents.

“The [Fairfax] community has needed this store for several years. When Assistant Chief Red Corn and I were elected we picked up from where the community members were working and we just supported their efforts,” said Standing Bear.

The Osage Nation signed the building lease for Venture Foods on December 23, 2014.

The store is owned by ALLS Grocery Inc. and the Osage Nation provided start-up resources such as shelving, energy efficient appliances, and remodeling, according to Red Corn.