Earlier today, company officials broke ground on the new Food City on Lucas Ferry Rd. in Athens, AL. The 57,000 square foot retail supermarket, which will create 180 new area jobs is expected to open next spring. The store is the company’s fifth location of six planned for the Huntsville market area.

“Our first four Huntsville locations have been very well received, and we would like to thank our valued customers for the great welcome they have shown our company. We are excited to be adding a fifth location in Athens to better serve the residents of Huntsville and Limestone County,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

The location will include an in-store bakery and deli, complete with a hot food bar, large café seating area, fireplace, Asian wok, fresh food bar offering a variety of soup, salad and fruit selections, hickory wood smoker, fresh sushi, and in-store catering options. Full-service meat and seafood departments offering top-quality meats, Certified Angus Beef, and in-house butchers to hand cut steaks and fresh meat to order. Expanded grocery, frozen food and produce departments stocked with a huge selection of specialty, gourmet, and vegan items. 

The Food City Floral Boutique will be staffed with a designer seven days a week offers a full assortment of fresh-cut floral arrangements, bouquets, gift items, and more. Curbside pick-up and home delivery will be available for customers wishing to shop on-line. The store will also include a Food City Pharmacy, Food City Gas N’ Go featuring top quality fuel/diesel, and a Starbucks cafe offering a wide assortment of blended hot/cold coffees and beverages.

The new location will also feature several award-winning energy saving concepts, ranging from energy efficient glass cooler doors, parking lot lights and refrigeration systems to motion sensors and 100% LED lighting. 

  “Our customers can expect to find exceptional customer service and top-quality products at the lowest possible prices, along with great variety/selection and some exciting services,” says Smith. 

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 161 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.