Giant reopens after big expansion

While closed 10 months for upgrades, the Westtown store added 20,000 square feet; it reopens Friday with 20,000 additional items

Ten months after closing for extensive renovations and an expansion, the Giant supermarket in the Marketplace at Westtown shopping center will open Friday, Nov. 10.

Doors at the “new” store at 1502 West Chester Pike were slated to open just before 8 a.m.

Giant Food Stores added 20,000 square feet by taking over space formerly occupied by a neighboring Rite Aid drug store. The Giant added 60 fulland part-time workers to its staff to bring the total workforce to 130 associates. It normally will operate from 6 a.m. until midnight seven days a week.

“We’re back, and we’re so excited to be back,” said Lisa Impriano, the store’s manager who has been with Giant for 26 years. “The old facility wasn’t quite what we needed. I can’t wait to see my old customers and meet my new customers.”

Impriano spoke Thursday at a ceremony marking the reopening of the location, attended by executives from the Carlisle-based grocery chain and representatives of local organizations receiving donations.

To show its commitment to the community, Giant presented checks of $1,000 each to Goshen Fire Company, VFW

Post 106, West Chester Area School District, West Chester Food Cupboard, Westtown East Goshen Regional Police and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

As a result of the expansion, the store, now 53,000 square feet, will have an additional 20,000 items for sale. Upgrades include:

• A newly expanded Produce Marketplace will offer farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, including local seasonal picks, certified organics, specialty items and a salad bar;

• An upgraded Butcher Shoppe and Seafood Market;

• Market Square Deli, with Boar’s Head products, grab & go offerings, and an assortment of cheeses.

• Corner Bakery Shoppe with holiday pies, cakes, desserts, Old World artisan breads and donuts.

• Nature’s Promise Marketplace with more organic and free-from products.

Giant spokeswoman Samantha Krepps said the store will not stock beer and wine or contain a sitdown eating area like many supermarkets now offer.

“It’s a dry township,” Krepps said. “If it ever becomes a wet township, that is something we would love to offer to our customers. We have 48 stores with beer and wine and eateries” with two set to open Friday, in Phoenixville and in Trexlertown.

Krepps declined to provide a dollar figure for the improvements.

The Westtown store plans to have a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at 7:45 a.m., after which shoppers will be allowed through the doors.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Westtown Giant reopens Friday, Nov. 10. On Thursday, Giant presented $1,000 to six area nonprofits, including Goshen Fire Company, Westtown-East Goshen police, West Chester Food Cupboard, West Chester Area School District, The Children’s Miracle...

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Danielle George of Berks County was on hand to thank Giant for its donation to the Children’s Miracle Network - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which helped her son Benjamin, 4, cope with his food allergies.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Westtown Giant manager Lisa Impriano returns to manage the new store.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Crews make last-minute improvements at the Westtown Giant.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The new Westtown GIANT features expanded organic food selections.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Westtown Giant reopens Friday, Nov. 10. On Thursday, the management invited guests to tour the new store.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Shopping carts are ready at the reopened Westtown Giant.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Checkout counters are seen at the Westtown Giant.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Freezers are seen at the new Westtown Giant.