Redner's Debuts New Unit in Oxford, Pa.; Kicks off Toys for Tots Drive

READING, Pa. - Executives from Redner's Markets, Inc. yesterday welcomed members of the community to the company's new location in Oxford, Pa. during a public open house to preview and become acquainted with its latest Warehouse Market, which officially opens for business today.

Store manager Jim Nowrey was among the company officials who welcomed new customers to Redner's second Chester County location, which is in close proximity to the Maryland state line and located near Pennsylvania's famed "mushroom country."

Redner's completely demolished a former Super Fresh, which had been vacant for five years, and built the new 55,000-square-foot store, consumer communications specialist Eric White told Progressive Grocer. "This will be our 37th Warehouse Market and 48th altogether, counting our 11 Quick Shoppes."

White said while the store won't deviate much from Redner's traditional format, the family-held chain has repositioned the fresh produce department to the front of the store and moved its "wall of values," formerly located by the entrance, to the middle of the store. These departmental changes are also being made in several other Redner's stores as part of an ongoing store-remodeling campaign currently taking place, White added.

The new full-service grocery store will offer such services as an in-store bakery; full-service deli; and fresh produce, meat and seafood departments, along with frozen, dairy, health and beauty aids/nonfoods, and grocery departments. At full operating conditions, the store will employ approximately 150 people in both full- and part-time positions, according to White.

In addition to the open house and grand opening activities, customers were invited to donate a new toy toward the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's 2004 Toys for Tots program. "Redner's is proud to be in its 23rd year of partnership with the U.S.M.C.R.'s Toys for Tots program," said White, noting that Marines were on hand to accept new toy donations during yesterday's open-house preview party.

Redner's began accepting toys and cash donations, as well as selling Toys for Tots paper choo-choo trains for $1, on Oct. 31. Through the sale of the trains, Redner's is able to collect cash contributions that are donated to the local Marine Corps detachment for use in buying new toys the following year. For a $1 donation, customers can write their name or a brief message on the train, which is then hung in the store. Redner's also sells Entertainment Coupon books to collect funds for the Toys for Tots program. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the paper trains and Entertainment Coupon books benefit the local Toys for Tots program.

Last year, Redner's collected five tractor-trailer loads of toys and $102,000 in cash donations for local needy children throughout Eastern Pennsylvania and New York.

--Meg Major
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