Smith’s Opens First Marketplace Store in New Mexico in Los Alamos July 16

BUSINESS News:

  • Company Unveils First In-Store Murray’s Cheese Shop Offering 175 Types of Cheeses 

Smith’s Food & Drug is opening its multi-department store format, Smith’s Marketplace, on the Trinity Site in Los Alamos July 16.

It is the first Smith’s Marketplace store to be built in New Mexico and will replace the existing Smith’s combination food and drug store in the Merrimac Shopping Center on Central Avenue. Ribbon cutting ceremonies will begin at 7:45 a.m., July 16.

More than 200,000 items throughout the 110,600-square-foot store will surprise and delight customers at every turn. Shoppers will find a wide assortment of natural, organic and specialty foods; a large assortment of fine wine and spirits including selections stored within a walk-in wine cellar; a vast selection of meat, produce, grocery and bakery items; apparel for the entire family; houseware needs and décor; drive-through pharmacy; health and pampering needs; school and office supplies; pet products; and an array of fresh floral choices.

Smith’s food fare will bring a unique dining experience to Los Alamos. A favorite Starbucks beverage, fresh sushi roll, or made-to-order fire-baked pizza, gourmet sandwich, noodle bowl or wrap may be enjoyed inside or outside on the expansive patio with access to the Canyon Rim trail. The wine bar will offer beer and wine by the glass along with menu offerings for restaurant-style table service.

Smith’s has teamed up with Murray’s Cheese to unveil its first in-store Murray’s Cheese Shop. Murray’s Cheese, the oldest cheese shop in New York City and the nation’s leading cheese destination, brings an expansive selection of specialty items including crackers, dried fruit, and an olive and antipasto bar. Customers can “try it before they buy it” at the counter and meet local artisans such as Beehive Cheese and Creminelli Fine Meats who will be featured at in-store events during grand opening month. Murray’s will debut Murray’s Melts, a grilled cheese counter offering their take on America’s favorite comfort food. Customers will enjoy classic and innovative offers with an emphasis on the highest quality cheese and condiments.

The Smith’s Marketplace has both immediate and long-term economic impact including a $30 million construction investment, which utilized many local subcontractors and services. The Trinity Site also contains pads for leased space, which will house Verizon Wireless, Supercuts and future additional tenants. More than 200 new Smith’s associates have been hired for positions throughout the new store. Local suppliers’ products like El Pinto’s fresh salsa bar are found throughout the store. Smith’s lease payments on the store’s site will now generate at least $350,000 annually for the Los Alamos School District.

To celebrate the store opening, Smith’s will contribute a total of $10,000 in store gift cards and cash to benefit local nonprofit organizations, and will partner with the Los Alamos National Laboratory in support of their annual “Gus the Bus” school supply drive through Aug. 13. Customers will be invited to donate school supplies in barrels found at the front of the store. All Los Alamos nonprofit organizations are invited to enroll in SmithsCommunityRewards.com to engage shoppers and earn donations from Smith’s.

The Marketplace store will increase its donations of unsaleable but nutritious produce, dairy, meat and bakery items to the Santa Fe Food Depot and Delancey Street. The perishable donation program generates enough food for the food bank to create 30 meals each day in northern New Mexico. Since 2006, Smith’s has donated $500,000 to schools in Los Alamos.

Eight New Mexico Smith’s stores have received an ENERGY STAR designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy for energy efficiency and performance.  Smith’s has reduced its average electricity usage by 34.5 percent since 2000, which equates to enough electricity to power 45 average sized Smith’s stores for one year.  That energy savings has kept approximately 65,500 metric ton (equivalent) of carbon from being released into the atmosphere. In addition, 100 more Smith’s stores have made application to qualify for the designation in 2014.

Solar panels, designed and installed by Affordable Solar, a New Mexico company, have been installed on the roof and will provide approximately 30 percent of the store’s energy needs. This is the third Smith’s store in New Mexico to utilize solar panels to reduce energy usage.

Marketplace customers will continue to enjoy the accumulation of fuel points towards fuel savings up to $1 per gallon, digital coupon downloads for immediate savings, and the ability on Smith’s phone app to refill prescriptions, track fuel points, and access shopping lists. More information may be found at smithsfoodanddrug.com.

Smith’s is a division of the Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR), one of the nation’s largest retail grocers. From its division office in Salt Lake City, Smith’s 15,600 associates serve customers in 130 stores throughout seven western states. More than 2,500 Smith’s associates serve customers throughout 26 food and drug stores in New Mexico. Smith’s charitable giving, in partnership with 16,000 associates, generous customers and suppliers, totaled $9 million in cash and food products to local organizations throughout the west in 2013. For more visit: www.smithsfoodanddrug.com or https://www.facebook.com/Smiths.

Search
LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems