Earlier today, company officials broke ground on the new Food City planned for Abingdon, VA.  The 62,000+ square foot flag ship store will serve as a replacement for the existing location and is expected to be completed early 2019.  

“This is something our customers have been requesting for years and we’re very excited to finally have the opportunity to provide them with a new, modern, state-of-the-art Food City to serve the community,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.  “We estimate that the initial phase of the project will take over a year to complete.”

The 30 acre development also includes a number of other retail outlets, restaurants and hotels.  The property was originally part of a 70 acre parcel.  The remaining 40 acres were donated to the Town of Abingdon to construct a new sports complex to serve area youth. 

“We’re proud to call Abingdon and Washington County home, whether it be our Corporate Support Center, Food City Distribution Center or our three retail locations.  We are committed to being a good corporate citizen and a good neighbor by continuing to support and invest in our community,” says Smith.

This private development investment is expected to be in excess of $30 million and the project will include nearly 191,150 sq. ft. of new retail, office and hotel space.  The project will represent approximately 688 jobs, including 300 new jobs.  The development’s construction, combined with its estimated annual sales will also generate significant property and sales tax growth for the area - $568,294 annually for Washington County, VA and $1,352,487 annually for the Town of Abingdon (based upon Washington County Treasurer estimates).  Over a 15 year period, that would amount to nearly $29,000,000.

The development also allows for significant road improvements to the Exit 17 area.  As a result of the investment, the Exit 17 interchange will receive a total redesign.  In addition, Cook Street and Green Springs Road will become part of a four-way controlled intersection.  “These modifications will improve traffic flow through the Cummings Street area, as well as Green Spring Road,” adds Smith.  

The new Food City is expected to include a number of innovative amenities to deliver the ultimate shopping experience, including an in-store Starbucks, offering a wide assortment of blended hot and cold coffees and beverages, Food City Pharmacy, equipped with a drive-thru for greater ease in prescription services, bakery/deli, complete with a cheese shop and sandwich shop, offering a large selection of fresh pre-made options, as well as custom made to order selections, hot food bar, large café seating area and stone hearth pizza oven.  A fresh food bar will be available, featuring a wide variety of soup, wings, salad and fruit selections.  Full service meat and seafood departments will offer pre-marinated and seasoned oven ready products, plus a complete selection of top quality meats that are all-natural with no solutions added, including Certified Angus Beef and fresh sushi.  In-house meat cutters will hand cut steaks and fresh meat to order.  Expanded grocery, frozen food, beer and produce departments will go well beyond the normal fare with a huge selection of gourmet, international and specialty items, featuring a full line of natural and organic items.  The Food City Floral Boutique will be staffed with a designer seven days per week, offering a full assortment of fresh-cut floral arrangements, bouquets, gift items and more.  Rapid checkout service will be provided by seven traditional check-out lanes, one express lane and four self-check-outs.  For added convenience, the store will also offer a Food City Gas N’ Go with a large five pump station, including diesel fuel.  The new location will also feature several energy saving concepts, ranging from energy efficient glass cooler doors, parking lot lights and refrigeration systems to motion sensors and 100% LED lighting.  An open rafter ceiling design will also be included. 

“Our customers can expect to find the same smiling faces, top quality products, exceptional customer service and low prices they have come to expect from Food City, combined with a number of exciting new features and conveniences,” says Food City store manager, Jack Wycoff.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 133 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, Chattanooga and north Georgia.