![BRIGHT: Store manager Craig Robinson with staff Andrea Bahr and Jess McIntosh. The trio are working hard to transform the former-Harris Scarfe store into Cheap as Chips ahead of its opening. Picture: TARA TREWHELLA BRIGHT: Store manager Craig Robinson with staff Andrea Bahr and Jess McIntosh. The trio are working hard to transform the former-Harris Scarfe store into Cheap as Chips ahead of its opening. Picture: TARA TREWHELLA](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/sophie.boyd/de52a663-dc94-40dd-a443-8c01cc19457e.jpg/r0_0_4842_3228_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Discount variety store Cheap as Chips is expanding to Albury, setting up shop in Mate's building.
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Currently staff are busy shopfitting and stocking the new store ahead of the September 30 opening.
The shop, on level one of the Mate's building, has been vacant since Harris Scarfe closed in February after the company was placed into receivership in 2019.
Marketing director Cassandra Nixon said the grand opening was scheduled for a Wednesday to coincide with the weekly catalogue release.
Approximately 25 staff will be employed at the store, with head office staff initially supporting and training a local team.
She said there had been some logistical problems given COVID-19 and the border closure, but everything was on track for a September 30 opening.
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"We haven't opened a new store in a bit, so for us it's great for the town and really exciting for us," Ms Nixon said.
The Albury store will be the South Australian-based company's second venture in NSW.
The company has 15 stores in Adelaide, 10 in regional South Australia, 16 in Victoria and one in Broken Hill, NSW.
![LOTS TO DO: Cheap as Chips store manager Craig Robinson with staff Jess McIntosh and Andrea Bahr. The trio are part of the team working hard to get the store ready ahead of its grand opening. Picture: TARA TREWHELLA LOTS TO DO: Cheap as Chips store manager Craig Robinson with staff Jess McIntosh and Andrea Bahr. The trio are part of the team working hard to get the store ready ahead of its grand opening. Picture: TARA TREWHELLA](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/sophie.boyd/d16fbecd-d3ed-4a24-8003-fcbfe363ff36.jpg/r0_257_5035_3099_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Ms Nixon said Albury was the next logical step for the company, who has a real focus on regional markets.
The company is also launching click and collect across all its stores, including Albury.
Ms Nixon said the store boasts a broad range of affordable products including, furniture, manchester, garden accessories, power tools, storage items as well as supermarket ware and even aged care mobility products like wheelchairs.
"We have a huge pet range, everything from cat scratchers to stairs so dogs can get onto the bed," she said.
"A lot of quirky things too.
"We have some brand names and some not... but all are good quality."
Ms Nixon said company prided itself on its competitive prices, hence the name 'Cheap as Chips'.
"It'll be great to offer new customers something different and all in the one spot," she said.
"We're very excited to open up in Albury."
Ms Nixon said the first 250 customers through the doors on Wednesday and Saturday will receive a gift bag.