They are facing a wait of at least 12 months before their workplace is rebuilt after Saturday's devastating fire.

Ritchies executive officer Fred Harrison, who owns 70 stores across the east coast of Australia, visited Beechworth on Monday to speak with staff directly.

He praised staff who tried to put out the fire, which was lit inside while the store was open, then made the right decision to evacuate.

“They had people out of the store straight away,” Mr Harrison said.

“They are the true heroes.”

Ritchies committed to reopening a supermarket with the latest designs in early 2017.

The damage and rebuild cost “could be potentially up to $10 million”.

Some permanent staff would be offered temporary jobs at Bright or Yarrawonga IGAs.

“There might be a bit of travel, but it's not forever,” Mr Harrison said.

IGA management and Indigo Shire were searching for a site for a smaller pop-up supermarket in the town.

Even with the temporary shop, Mr Harrison admitted some permanent staff would be encouraged to take annual leave and casuals may be left unemployed.

“I can only say how supportive the community has been to us,” he said.

“We are going to go through a period of challenge, but stick with us.”

Indigo Wines had a solution for young casual workers who don’t mind getting their hands dirty for some short-term work.

Vineyard manager Casey White said grape-picking would begin in a couple of weeks and priority for about four weeks of work would be given to IGA employees.

“We often use contractors, but we thought we’d offer it to them first,” he said.

A 15-year-old Beechworth girl will remain in custody until February over the fire, following an appearance in the Children’s Court on Monday where she did not apply for bail.

Wodonga detectives charged her with two counts of criminal damage by arson, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and lighting an open-air fire during fire season.

Detective Senior Constable Ray Causer said the girl also allegedly lit a fire in a bin at Beechworth Memorial Hall and the swimming pool grounds on Saturday night.

The first of Indigo Shire’s free bus trips for residents to do grocery shopping in Yackandandah was taken up by five people on Monday.

The 21-seater bus will leave at 10am from the Telegraph Station for Yackandandah on Mondays and Wednesdays and for either Myrtleford or Chiltern on Fridays, returning at 1pm.