Cash-Wa Retail Outlet offers downtown grocery in Cheyenne

“We’re realizing the need in Cheyenne for a grocery store downtown,” said manager Laurie Hutchinson.

Until now, the name Cash-Wa has been synonymous with large-scale restaurant distribution. Owners have considered opening a grocery store for about four years, and now they’re planning to become known for being the grocery store the downtown community has been asking for.

“We are excited for what they are willing to do and the adjustments they are going to be making,” said Stephanie Meisner, vice president of the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce. “They are changing it for your daily consumer and really merchandising to accommodate those that are at home.”

Cash-Wa is a Kearney, Nebraska-based company that provides food, foodservice supplies and industrial cleaning products to restaurants, grocery stores, schools, health-care facilities and convenience stores in 11 states. The company has had a Cheyenne location for about 15 years, and will continue with its distribution business, in addition to opening the new grocery store.

Downtown Development Authority business development specialist Esther Gonzales said the DDA is very excited about this new grocery store venture for Cash-Wa.

“It’s been long awaited,” Gonzales said. “We’ve had people ask all the time when a grocery was going to come in.”

Hutchinson said the downtown area’s studio apartments and places like the Burke Senior Center are filled with people who need a quick, easy option to get their groceries. Cash-Wa Retail Outlet is also convenient for people who do business in the area.

She said people will come in and say they are on their way home from work and just need a quick staple. They will ask if she has what they need – some half and half, a loaf of bread, a box of cereal – and she is able to accommodate those needs. They have all those staple items and more.

Hutchinson said they started bringing in groceries in early November, and they are getting about 400 new items in weekly. They will continue to expand inventory as they get a feel for what the community wants.

The store has fresh produce, meat and seafood, dairy products, canned food, baking items, boxed convenience items, snacks, paper goods and cleaning products, to name a few. They carry both name-brand products and two off-brands, Always Save and Best Choice.

Because the grocery store is smaller than a supermarket, they can provide personal service, Hutchinson said. On a recent weekday morning, Hutchinson helped a customer decide what to have for dinner as her customer perused the ribs in the meat cooler. They discussed whether an instant pot or the grill was a better choice for the meal.

Her father, Russ Denzer, who also works at the grocery store, noted how convenient their store is for some elderly people. They can park right in front of the building, and he is happy to carry their groceries to their car for them.

“That’s a great service for a lot of older people who come in,” Denzer said.

A long handicapped-accessible ramp along the front of the building makes it easy for everyone who wants to come in.

Currently, hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but after they are fully staffed, Cash-Wa Retail Outlet plans to be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. They will also be open on Saturday, but those hours aren’t set yet. Denzer said they want their hours to accommodate downtown business people so they don’t have to rush to get there after work.

They said they’re hoping to have a grand opening – hopefully in March – once they have the store more completely stocked.