Food City has put the finishing touches on a major expansion and remodeling project at its Strawberry Plains store, adding nearly 10,000 square feet, more than 50 jobs and a long list of new features for shoppers.

Company officials celebrated the completion Wednesday, Sept. 23, with a flag-raising and ribbon-cutting at the store at 7510 Asheville Highway.

The project brings the store to more than 58,000 square feet of retail space, but shoppers are likely to notice more than the extra room.

Among the biggest additions is a Starbucks café, serving hot and cold beverages, breakfast sandwiches and pastries.

The produce and food service departments also got some attention. New features include a fresh-ground peanut grinder, a larger café seating area, fresh food bar with soup, salad and fruit selections, specialty cake corner and a hickory wood smoker.

And for those who like to linger over a cup of coffee or catch up with a neighbor, there is now a fireplace gathering area.

“We are excited to celebrate the completion of a significant remodel and expansion at our Strawberry Plains Food City,” Food City President and CEO Steven C. Smith said. “Our customers will continue to find the same smiling faces, quality products, exceptional customer service and value they have come to expect from Food City, along with a variety of new services and conveniences designed to enhance the shopping experience.”

The store’s pharmacy has been expanded and now includes a walk-up window.

Outside, the Gas N’ Go fuel center has two additional fueling stations and now offers diesel fuel service.

Other improvements include upgraded registers and self-checkout lanes, new product cases, energy-efficient LED lighting, updated décor, a lottery machine in the vestibule and a new flagpole.

For store manager Jason Jones, Wednesday’s celebration also was a chance to thank customers who continued shopping there while construction was underway.

“I would like to thank our loyal customers for their patience and support throughout the construction process,” Jones said. “We are grateful for their understanding and look forward to sharing these new enhancements with the community. I believe our customers will agree they were well worth the wait.”

Perhaps the most important number in the expansion isn’t square footage. The project created more than 50 new jobs in the area.

Learn more about Food City.

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Betsi James is the special events manager for the Food City Knoxville division.

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