SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. announced this week that it has completed $13 million in renovations at 3 Hampshire County locations: Big Y World Class markets at 175 University Drive in Amherst; 136 North King St. in Northampton and the Big Y Express Gas and Convenience store at 73 Russell St. in Hadley.
Big Y announced Monday that it will host grand re-opening celebrations at all three locations on Wednesday, May 3.
The Springfield-based chain also announced $3.1 million in completed renovations at two Connecticut stores.
The grand re-opening festivities start out at Big Y Express at 9:30 a.m. followed by cake cutting ceremonies at 10 a.m. in Amherst and 11:30 a.m. in Northampton.
At the supermarkets, expect samples of Big Y’s celebration cake, coffee & donuts along with store-wide product such as sushi, hot soups, super chicken tenders, World Classics turkey, Berkshire breads, new cheeses, and chicken salad. Festivities will continue all week, according to a news release.
At Big Y Express, the celebration will include free coffee, $5 car washes and car wash gift card raffles.
The renovations:
At Big Y Express in Hadley: A $900,000 project included a new red metal roof, a spruced up exterior with fresh landscaping, upgraded restrooms, a self-service fresh foods case, and new decor. Big Y previously improved the car wash in July. Big Y bought the location in December 2015 along with two other former O’Connell Convenience Plus stations in Wilbraham and Longmeadow.
At Big Y in Amherst: A $3 million includes a new Living Well Eating Smart area with natural, organic and gluten free foods and a ready to eat chicken wing bar a stir-fry station and a cafe area with a “coffee house” feel, rebuilt floral department, upgraded fixtures in produce and bakery, new cases in meat and seafood, and new decor throughout. Big Y in Amherst opened Sept, 17, 1998. The store’s most recent remodel was in 2005, which cost $1.1 million. The store is 54,754 square feet and employs 170, the chain said.
Big Y in Northampton: A $7 million included a new Living Well Eating Smart section. Big Y also put its wine, beer, and liquor sections into a dedicated Table & Vine location in the center of this store.
Northampton also has a chicken wing bar, upgraded bakery coffee bar and updated produce displays, new decor and fresh interior paint. Big Y in Northampton opened March 8, 1960. The store’s most recent remodel was a major rebuild in 2007, which cost $20 million, Big Y said.
In Connecticut:
Norwich: Big Y Foods completed $1.3 million in renovations at its Norwich, Connecticut, World Class Market at 234 Salem Turnpike.
Monroe: Big Y Foods completed its $1.8 million renovation at its Monroe, Connecticut, World Class Market at 535 Monroe Turnpike.
Founded in 1936, Big Y operates 71 supermarkets, 39 pharmacies, Fresh Acres Market, Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors and 5 Big Y Express gas and convenience locations. The company has approximately 11,000 employees.
By Jim Kinney
Source: MASS LIVE, May 2017
