Safeway soon to be serving up Starbucks

As probably most Podunkians have noticed these days, they’re doing a little renovating at the Safeway store in downtown Prince Rupert. The multi million dollar redesign will interrupt your shopping patterns in the store for the next four to five weeks, but upon completion will provide a new look inside and some new services for local consumers.

An improved bakery department, expanded deli area, full service meat and seafood counters and an expanded floral department are some of the new features for the long time fixture in the city. But the one change that has the city buzzing is the arrival of what is called a full service, “compact” Starbucks operation that will apparently provide twelve jobs to potential baristas.

The timeline of the project and a few of the details about it, were provided to the Daily News and appeared in the Wednesday edition of the paper.

HUGE UPGRADE IN STORE AT SAFEWAY
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Pages one and three

Prince Rupert’s Safeway store is currently undergoing a major renovation that will result in an expanded staff, a host of new in-store services and a compact Starbucks outlet.

“Our store there is under a Lifestyle design remodel. Basically, the store will feature a fresh oven bakery, a full service meat and seafood counter, an expanded floral department and a full service Staarbucks in the store,” said Scott Gibney, Canada Safeway spokesperson/

The Prince Rupert renovations are part of the company’s billion-dollar plans to remodel 275 stores across North America under the Lifestyle brand in 2006.

And with more in-store services comes more employees.

“With every expansion our employment count goes up between 30 and 50 people, There’s at least 12 with the Starbucks alone and then with the full service meat counter and full service seafood counter, we have people right there to cut your meat fresh for you and stuff like that. It adds to our world class service,” said Gibney.

There will also be more people working in the bakery department and produce section because the company will expand its organic selection.

The deli section will also be expanded, with more meals to go and a carving station that offers a fresh entrée every night.

While Gibney said the company does not release the cost of the renovations until after they are complete, he described the investment as substantial. “We believe in the community and we are committed to it and we are showing our commitment with this investment.” He said.

In Fort St. John the Lifestyle renovation which took place in 2005 was worth more than $2 million.

“It should be great, it’s an old market feel, with the ambiance, and a designer look,” said Gibney.

Construction should continue for the next five weeks.

Safeway launched a massive rebranding program in 2005, using the slogan Ingredients for Life.

The Lifestyles stores, which are part of the new brand, aim to provide the consumer with a more relaxed shopping experience.

“If you want a baseball sized sirloin steak, we will cut you a baseball sized sirloin. Also with the meat counter we have free marinades and rubs so if you want the mandarin teriyaki sauce with your chicken breast we will put that on for free,” said Gibney.

In the meantime, Safeway is hoping its customers will bear with them through the renovations.

“We are hoping it is not too much of an inconvenience. It’s just a short time, for the next month and a week or so and then after that, we will be rewarded with a beautiful new store and we are looking forward to our customers seeing that,” he said.