Bigger and better

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fter years of hard work and months of construction, the Decker family is finally opening the doors of their store’s new location in what they call a “soft opening.” 
“Our family has been here for 65 years, and we plan on being here for a while. You don’t build an investment in the community like this unless you are here to stay,” owner Danny Decker said. “I have come full circle. When my family first moved here, when I was 3, we lived right here in this spot in the Highway Hotel.” 
The new location, with all of its many offerings, has been a full-fledged family effort, according to the family. Danny and Becky Decker’s children, Jeremiah and Ashley, have both become invested in the family business over the years, although their roles are different. 
“Ashley doesn’t live here, but she does all of our advertising and has had a direct influence on the décor and design of the new location,” Decker said. 
Jeremiah, on the other hand, has taken a more hands-on role and returned to Newcastle to take over the family-owned grocery store, although he admitted he did not always plan on doing that. 
“This really is a family business,” Jeremiah said. “We are really fortunate to have such a great crew to help through this move.” 
As part of the adjustment, the family hired a new manager to help run the business. After several years with supplier Nash Finch, Clint Mullen joined the Decker’s Market team months before the official move to the new store. 
“He is a great addition to the team and wonderful to work with,” longtime Decker’s manager Gary Clarke said. He noted that the two men work well together and will continue to do so at the new location. 
With new sections and a new store, Jeremiah said, the business will be hiring new staff as departments open. 
According to Decker, several sections of the store, including the coffee kiosk and liquor store, will not be opening in March when the rest of the store opens. Customers will be able to shop for dry goods, bakery items, produce, meats and freezer foods when the new location opens. 
“The new layout and design is more convenient for shoppers and employees,” Jeremiah said. 
With wide-open spacing and the opportunity to set things up strategically from the start will hopefully improve shopper experience, he said. 
Danny said that although they redesigned and changed things at the other location multiple times over the past 65 years, this time they will be able to put stuff where it should be from the start. 
“The new store is designed to be more shopper friendly and provide a better flow of traffic,” Decker said.
Customers will also be greeted with more variety in the departments, including the deli and bakery. 
The new location will also feature a gift shop that will include several of the same items featured in the old location, as well as new items including Black Hills gold. 
“We will have a lot of the same things, but it will all be in one area,” Becky Decker said. 
Jeremiah said he wanted to remind customers to remain aware of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations during the COVID-19 outbreak and to remain vigilant in protecting themselves and others from the virus.