SOUTHBURY — Valerie Lorusso pushed her cart down the aisle and liked what she saw.
“Everything looks new and updated,” she said, moving through the freshly renovated ShopRite of Southbury.
Her Monday morning grocery shopping was worth the trip from Watertown. She admits, there was some getting used to it, but she knows it’s just part of the process.
“It does look nice,” she said. “It was outdated before, but I came for the prices anyway.”
ShopRite of Southbury, located at 775 Main Street South, celebrated the public debut of the renovated supermarket on Monday, April 20.
Thomas Cingari Sr., President and CEO of Cingari Family Markets, the family-owned and operated Connecticut-based supermarket company, helped cut the ribbon that marked the completion of the store’s renovations.
“I’d like to thank our valued customers for your patience and your loyalty,” he said. “For almost a century, we’ve considered you to be a part of our extended family.”
Updates to the store include reimagined produce and floral departments, upgraded specialty sections, as well as grab-and-go meal options from the expanded lineup of Cingari Family Markets private-label products.
There are new energy-efficient refrigerators and lighting, with raised ceilings that give the store a more open feel upon arrival.
Tom Cingari Jr., Vice President of Cingari Family Markets, pointed out some of the additions made within the store’s original footprint.
He said that an emphasis was placed on certain departments that customers have been asking for.
“There’s more seafood, more produce, more bakery,” he said. “We put in a bread oven.”
“Tailoring the store to the Southbury community has been the key,” he added.
Cingari Jr. also thanked the local employees who kept the store running through the remodel, which began last year, with the doors staying open throughout. He described the end result as “a breath of fresh air.” The Southbury ShopRite currently employs more than 260 workers.
On hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were local elected officials, including State Rep. Jason Buchsbaum, State Rep. Arnold Jensen, State Senator Eric Berthel, First Selectman Tim O’Neil and Selectwoman Cathy De Carli.
Members of the Southbury Chamber of Commerce were also in attendance for Monday’s festivities.
“I know a lot of families that support ShopRite; mine in particular, is always here,” said First Selectman O’Neil. “Just going inside and looking at the investment they made, it turned out fantastic. We appreciate the investment in the town of Southbury.”
By Evan Triantafilidis
The Southbury Record 