The red ribbon cut Sunday at Weis Markets in Norwegian Township signified the grand reopening of the store at 500 Pottsville Park Plaza.
"We spent $4 million to make this store a completely new store," said Dennis Curtin, director of public relations for Weis Markets Inc. as he stood outside the store with employees and community organizations that received donations from the company.
Curtin thanked the employees, and said the store associates chose the donations for the local organizations.
"Without further ado, please cut the ribbon," Curtin said.
Bill Seltzer, store manager, employees and representatives from community organizations cut the red ribbon about 9:10 a.m.
As the day went on, there were special deals and free bags of groceries given away. As of 1:19 p.m., the store gave away 150 bags of groceries, said Jim Weaknecht, assistant store manager.
Renovations to the 51,000-square-foot store, which has been at the location since 1996, started in April. They include a cafe area that sells beer, single cans and bottles, coffee, tea and food items. The Pottsville location is the 14th Weis store to sell beer and began offering the alcoholic beverages last month.
"That's been going over really well," Seltzer said of the cafe.
Rules are in place regarding the purchase and consumption of the alcohol at the cafe, which is the only place in the store where alcohol can be purchased.
The store installed LED lighting inside and out in the parking lot as well.
In addition to the renovations and cafe addition, the store now operates 24 hours a day. It also expanded its pharmacy hours to include Sunday.
The expanded hours are an effort by the company to making shopping more convenient for the customer, Curtin said.
In addition to the decor, new signs and new cash registers, the store offers an expanded selection of food and merchandise. There are more prepared foods, cheeses, international foods and baby items, to name a few.
Explaining the increased variety of speciality cheese, Cynthia Talarico, deli specialist, said more than 70 different cheeses are available for purchase.
"We had a very limited variety before," she said, noting about 20 varieties.
Another area on the floor near the cheese has food items such as wings and cheese dips.
"It's like a one-stop shop," Talarico said.
Parents with little ones may like the expanded items for babies. Prior to the renovations, formula, bottles and other basic items were sold. Now, toys and clothing such as socks line the store shelves.
The international aisle features Goya products.
Abby Baker, 43, was shopping with her daughter, Britany Matthews, 25, and her 9-month-old daughter, Kiahna Dawson, all of Minersville. Baker purchased Cacique mozzarella cheese, her favorite brand, and had high praise for the store.
"We're making our way through," she said.
Ed Kerns, Saint Clair, purchased a turkey. The regular price was $38.11, but the price in yellow that customers with a Weis Club Card can take advantage of for savings knocked it down to $15.56.
Amy Heinbach, 35, Pottsville, also purchased a turkey and other items, including soda.
She liked the new layout of the store.
"It just looks nice and modern," she said.
Giving back
Weis Markets presented the following organizations with donations. The organizations, and the monetary donations, include:
- Schuylkill Community Action Food Pantry - $500
- Schuylkill United Way - $600
- Schuylkill YMCA - $2,000
- Goodwill Fire Company - $500
- New Life Shoppe, Pottsville - $500
- Salvation Army, Pottsville - $500 Upgrades
· New hours: Store is open 24 hours a day.
· Pharmacy hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
· The cafe is open 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Giving back
Weis Markets presented the following organizations with donations. The organizations, and the monetary donations, include:
- Schuylkill Community Action Food Pantry - $500
- Schuylkill United Way - $600
- Schuylkill YMCA - $2,000
- Goodwill Fire Company - $500
- New Life Shoppe, Pottsville - $500
- Salvation Army, Pottsville - $500