Abingdon, Va.-based K-VA-T Food Stores, which operates the Food City banner, said earlier this week it plans to construct a new 44,000-square-foot "superstore" in Lenoir City, Tenn. The location will serve as a replacement for the company's existing unit and is scheduled to open this fall.

"We have certainly enjoyed serving the Lenoir City area residents, and we're very excited to bring a new state-of-the-art Food City to The New Market at Town Creek development," said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and c.e.o. "Our existing location will close immediately preceding the new store opening. We anticipate hiring around 75 new associates, and of course our current team of associates will be transferred to the new location as well."

The project is part of a new 225,000-square-foot shopping center, The Market at Town Creek, to be constructed just off I-75 and Highway 321. Food City will be the first retailer to open within the center. Local retailers, as well as national retailers selling soft goods, office supplies, and pet products, are currently being targeting to lease the remaining spaces, K-VA-T said.

Plans for the new Food City include: bakery/deli, complete with a hot food bar and sit-down cafe; Food City Floral Boutique; video department; full-service seafood and meat departments, with in-house meat cutters on staff; health and beauty care departments; and an in-store bank.

The location will also offer a Food City Pharmacy and an adjacent Food City Gas N' Go offering "top-quality gasoline at highly competitive prices," K-VA-T said.

The unit has been outfitted with a new exterior and interior design concept, including open ceilings, department coordinated floor tiling, large department signage, and a new store-wide color scheme.

K-VA-T Food Stores operates 96 retail food outlets throughout the tri-state regions of southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and northeast Tennessee.