Employees and bakers

Over the years we spent a lot of money trying to find employees. I figured it's worth a shot to post something about working in the jungle.
Like most retailers we post signs and advertise in the local papers. We even post jobs online. A lot of people apply for positions in the store. Most apply expecting to work around their person schedule. In the retail world... it doesn't work that way. Retail is hard work, hard hours, and requires the right person.
A good example would be our bakery. Most of our bakery is made from scratch products. Fantastic breads and pastries. But.... they require a lot of people power to make the great breads. Most of our bakers start early and work long hours. Trying to find the right person for this position is hard. Currently they have an ad running for a scratch baker. I bet they interview 25 people before they find the person that hopefully fits the position.
Everyone always wants to know... how many employees work at Jungle Jim's. Answer: We average about 400 to 425 employees weekly. Add the tenants and their employees and we probably have over 600 employees working on the complex. Hard to believe considering he started by himself out of a tent.
I believe I have worked in every department except as a cashier. Cashiers have a tough job.

If you read this and still want to work here.... click over to our link
LOL
it can't be too bad... I'm over 23 years with the store.
Have Fun!
Phill

The Pond

The Waterscene, the Pond, the Jungle... I can't imagine how many photos have been taken of this area.  

Jungle built it with the help of several people.   Several that still work here.

Basically, it's a in ground pool.  All

 the filters and

 pumps are in the waterfall.  

We have a family of ducks that have

 called this pond home.  They fear no one.  The ducks are cute when they are small, but can be a bit annoying as they grow.

Some of you remember the pond before it was the exit.  Back in the day you had to exit down a pretty step ramp (this ramp has the large fruit and vegetables around it).

Check out the parking lot in the Older pictures....  That lot was a pain.   We turned the parking lanes

 90 degrees away from the building.  What a difference. 

New Store Locations

We recieve a lot of requests for store locations and where they believe a Jungle Jim's would do really well.  Yes, we have looked at a lot of locations.  We will review every request.  

Number one requested area:  Indianapolis

Number two:  Northern Kentucky

Number three:  Columbus Ohio

Number four:  Southeast Indiana

Many of you remember the Millworks project in Oakley Ohio.  The project ran into too many issues and faded away.  That would have been a fun store.

We did try to purchase the HQ in Florence many, many years ago.  Another great location, but a developer purchased it and opened Linens and things....

What are we looking for?  Honestly, nothing.  Currently, our focus is on the Fairfield location.  I have a stack of potential locations.  The stack is growing fast.  Commercial Real Estate must be tough.  Generally I recieve one of two a month.  Now I'm getting one or two a week.  By mid January I expect one or two a day.  Stay Calm... LOL 

It would take a lot for a city or development to persuade us to take on another Jungle Jim's.

You are also thinking ... "how do they build another Jungle Jim's"  Good thought....  LOL

If we did another one it would not be like the current Jungle Jim's.  It would take on a life of it's own.   I like to call our store an omeba.  Always changing shape and size.  I'm sure another store would take on the same philosophy.   It would open but adjust and grow with the customers.

If you are a realator and have a location, feel free to send me an email with all the information.

Have Fun!

Phill

Remember the entrance?

Pictures from September 1st, 2002

Remember the metal carts?  Loud, heavy and they needed a lot of maintenance.  The While plastic cover was a carry over from the days of entering the building in through this plastic building...

The picture of the bare lot and the Tuna on the chalkboard is now our main entrance with the large Jungle Jim Sign.  
If you look  really close you can see the sign on the wall.  Jungle Jim collectable Coke 12 packs.  Jungle was the third person on a coke pack.  Santa, Emeril then Jungle.

The building behind the original buiding eventually enclosed the wood building.  We built over it.

Boar's Head Truck

Click Here for Photosynth of Truck









Another "Landmark" in the store. One of the things we realized before the 2003 expansion... people get lost in our store. It has tall ceilings, lots of stuff, and your mind is focusing on the item of the moment. So as you evolve through the Jungle you tend to get lost.

Our resolve was adding higher or taller landmarks in the store. The Boar's Head Truck, The Big Cheese, Elvis, The Boat, Robin Hood and the Tree, The singing Birds and the World Famous Bathrooms.

Unlike most grocery stores, the deli is the department you run into every trip down the American Grocery Aisle. A lot of the other grocery stores run you into the meat department six or seven times.

We wanted to create a strong statement with Boar's Head. We started in dream world with several ideas. The truck was the element that stuck with us. We created drawings and paper models trying to create this statement. With a lot of help from the folks at Boar's Head, we created the Truck.

We found the Truck in California. Had it delivered. Dissasemble it down to the last bolt. Cleaned it, reassembled it and added a fresh coat of paint. Once the truck was reassembled the box was designed and assembled. Fresh paint and the Boar's Head Logos were added.

The frame to hold the truck was created and the truck lifted high in the air.

If you look close, you will see product in the back of the truck. :)

Other companies carry and sell Boar's Head Brand Products. They are cute. They put up nice displays with fantastic Boar's Head Products.... you know what they are missing? Passionate employees.

Someone asked about our first experience with Boar's Head. In 1991 we made a trip to Atlanta. We are a small company, so the buyers/managers have to make their department unique. About 12 of us made the trip. No itenerary, no idea where to visit, no clue... LOL. We stumbled across Harry's Market. They had a spectacular Boar's Head display with a stunning red awning. It was the find of the trip.

After the trip we started making phone calls. Understand, the internet wasn't avaialable. After three years of searching, Boar's Head walked into our store. Later I found out that is was blind luck that they walked into our store.

There are very few days you clearly remember changing the direction of the store. I remember the day like it was yesterday.

One of the problems...? Cincinnati didn't know who Boar's Head was. It took years and a lot of work. Slowly other retailers picked up the brand. Once one of the local chain stores put Boar's Head in their Montgomery store our sales skyrocketed. Some day I will thank them. :)

Have Fun!

Phill

2003 expansion

In May of 2003 we started the large expansion that now include Sushi, Jasmin, American Grocery area, Deli, cheese, Jungle Subs, Starbucks, Beer & Wine, Liquor.

Notice the Original building with the white siding.
The gray stone block in the corner was removed late in construction. That is now lane one in grocery.

The Fire Truck

Click Here for Photsynth View of the truck



The fire truck really did come from Hueston Woods.

We removed the fuel tank and engine. A fresh coat of paint, a few "fire kill' Stickers on the side (like the fighter planes) and she was ready for the hot sauce area.

After 9/11 people started sending patches from their department. We started posting them under the truck.

Did you know?

Sensory overload in the Jungle. I will post little snippets of information and pictures of odd items most people would not see or pick up. It's like a treasure hunt in the Jungle.

Example: When you enter the store by 5/3 Bank you can see the original building. You can still see the scars and "pins" in the concrete. We sold potatoes and onions in this area. The produce department was about 40 feet by sixty feet long.... and we thought that was big. :)

Have Fun!
Phill

Monorail Pictures

Monorail Photos - First Full Run

Want to open your business here?

Want to be part of the Jungle Jim Experience?
Send your email to: PhillatJungleJims@gmail.com
2000 square foot space with outdoor seating area available

Click here for Pic

Questions

So.... we decided to join the bloggers of the world. At Jungle Jim's we receive hundreds of emails, phone calls, and handwritten questions about the store.
Number one asked question: When are you opening another store? Answer: We are not looking for a specific location. Maybe someday a developer will find the perfect spot for another Jungle.

Number two: when will the monorail run? It runs, but is not open to the public. We have a lot of little stuff to complete and hasn't made the high priority list.

Number three: when will Jungle Jim's have a restaurant in the store. Completed!! Jungle Subs featuring Boar's Head Brand Products is open.

Have Fun!
Phill