Shaw’s Celebrates Grand Re-Opening of Ludlow, Vermont Store

In addition to repairing the damage from the flooding, Shaw’s invested additional resources to remodel the store, including expanding the store to 19,000 square feet, upgrading equipment and adding to offerings in several key categories. The newly remodeled store will provide customers with a variety of the freshest produce, top-quality seafood and a large selection of local Vermont products.

“We are excited to reopen the doors of what is essentially a brand new Shaw’s for our loyal customers and the Ludlow community,” said Shaw’s President Mike Stigers. “Everything customers see in the new store – from the floors to the ceiling – is brand new, and Shaw’s is proud to have completed the renovations and improvements in order to reopen the store in just over four months.

While storm damage forced the original store closed, the community did not have to go without a grocery store for long. As the only grocery store within 20 miles, Shaw’s recognized a need to serve the community and opened a temporary store under a tent in the parking lot just a week after the main store closed. The tent store provided local consumers a place to shop and successfully served the community until January 16, 2012.

“In one week’s time, we erected a 3,200 square foot tent designed to provide the basic needs of the community,” said Ludlow Store Director Darren Williams. “Operating as a country store --no scanners, no scales –we were able to offer approximately 700 key product options to the residents of Ludlow. It was truly a triumph over adversity and I am extremely proud and thankful to everyone who not only helped us continue to serve the community, but brought this new store to life.”

“As I’ve traveled around Vermont since Tropical Storm Irene, I have been overwhelmed by the resilience, courage and good will shown by Vermonters,” said Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin. “The dedication has been no less evident among the residents of Ludlow and associates at Shaw’s. Forced to close the store after it was flooded by Irene, you worked tirelessly to ensure residents had access to a temporary store under a tent in your parking lot. Your hard work made a tremendous difference for your community in their time of need.”

Shaw’s also understood that the storm had affected the entire state, and the need for supplies and relief was vast. To meet that need, Shaw’s worked to dispatch over $70,000 in food and grants to the Vermont Food Bank. In addition, the store ran a scan campaign with the American Red Cross to raise money to support their local relief efforts. Shaw’s customers had the opportunity to make a $1 or $5 donation with Shaw’s agreeing to match the donation – enabling a grand total of nearly $30,000.

In addition to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Shaw’s held a special preview open house on the evening of January 26. Shaw’s Vermont District Manager Dennis Dodge joined Stigers, Williams and other Shaw’s executives along with representatives from U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders administration. As part of the ceremonies, Shaw’s also made a $2,000 to Black River Good Neighbor Services.

For more details on Shaw’s Supermarkets, visit Shaw’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Shaws or visit www.shaws.com.

About Shaw’s Supermarkets

Shaw’s, Osco and Star Market are part of the nationwide SUPERVALU® INC. (NYSE: SVU) family of grocery stores. Shaw’s is one of the oldest continuously operated supermarkets in the United States with its roots dating to 1860. Throughout five New England states, there are 169 store locations employing approximately 21,000 associates. For more information about Shaw’s, visit the all-new web site at: www.shaws.com.

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For Shaw's Supermarkets

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Source: Shaw’s Supermarkets