Save-On-Foods location reopens after Fort McMurray wildfire

More than a year after being shut down during the devastating Fort McMurray wildfires, Save-On-Foods has reopened its store in the city’s south end after a complete overhaul.

Smoke damage from the fire meant some repairs were in order to reopen after the fire, but rather than just making those fixes the company decided to completely renovate and update the store, explained Craig Anderson, Save-On-Foods general manager of operations for the prairies.

The scope of the project was large enough that it required closing the business for a significant period of time, always a concern when the competition is chasing your customer. “But it was the right thing to do with our business,” he said. “To give Fort McMurray the latest and greatest.”

The revamped store incorporates the new look and feel the company has been rolling out over the last couple of years, with a new colour palette inside and outside the store and new signage throughout.

Aside from the fresh look, customers to the revamped store will notice updated produce, meat and seafood departments, a full-service in-store pharmacy, an expanded bakery (including a line of ice cream cakes) and a counter serving fresh sushi, made in-store every day.

The store, part of the Overwaitea Food Group, reopened Aug. 11 with celebrations taking place the next day, including food demonstrations, promotions and specials. And for the first two weeks, one shopper every day is being selected at random to win their groceries.