The Hannaford grocery store on Delaware Avenue is getting a facelift.
The grocery chain is investing nearly $6 million into the store for a complete remodeling of the building’s interior. The store will also get a new façade and larger entrance way that will house a storage area for shopping carts.
Doug Boyce, a representative from Hannaford’s real estate department, went before the town’s Planning Board on Tuesday, Jan. 17 to seek approval on the exterior site plan. The company has already been given permission to begin remodeling on some of the interior by the Building Division.
“This store is one among many in the Capital District Hannaford is in the process of renovating just to bring them all up to date with current supermarket standards,” said Boyce. “Some stores are in need of a refresh after many years of good sales and service to their communities.”
The Delaware Plaza store was once a Grand Union supermarket. It has been owned by Hannaford since 2001.
The plans call for 500-square feet to be added to the front of the building to create a vestibule for carts to be stored inside. Also, the entry points of the store will be reconfigured, with the main entrance moving farther to the east to direct customers into the produce department.
The shopping pattern within the store will be changed to provide more “flow” for customers, leading them counter-clockwise to check-out counters. The changes are meant to make the store easier to navigate and create a “more convenient shopping experience for customers,” according to Hannaford spokesman Eric Blom.
“There won’t be any of the store untouched by the renovation,” said Boyce, explaining the majority of the reconstruction will be completed at night.
Blom said the upgraded store will offer a larger selection of prepared foods. A sushi bar will be added, as well as a chicken wing bar, and the current salad bar will be expanded. In addition, a larger variety of products will be available to customers.
“We’re also really touting our energy improvements,” he said.
The company has been working on ways to “go green.” Improvements include capturing the heats from compressors for use to help heat stores and installing iceless seafood cases.
Minor improvements to the store had gone before the town board, before the company decided to revamp the Delmar location in recent weeks.
With the first ShopRite store opening in the area this past October and Trader Joe’s announcing this month a location would be opening in Colonie, the remodel comes at an opportune time.
When asked if the upgrades had anything to do with the introduction of several new grocery chains to the Capital District, Blom said a lot of factors determine which Hannaford stores will be remodeled.
“It all comes down to meeting the needs of customers,” he added.
Blom said the upgrades should be fully complete by late summer of 2012.