Fri Feb 10 2012
By Diane Smith
Record-Courier staff writer
For the first time in four years, a grocery store will be operating on Ravenna’s west side.
Valu King will quietly open its Ravenna store at 9 a.m. Sunday. A ribbon-cutting is set for 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the store, located at 832 W. Main St.
The store plans to offer a variety of grand opening specials, sp okesman Eric Yorke said.
Jack Ferguson, executive director of the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce, said the new store will be a big benefit for the city, especially those who live on the west side. For years, he said, those residents have had no choice other than to travel to the east side of the city, where Marc’s and Giant Eagle operate, or to go outside of Ravenna to shop for groceries.
“Now we have a store on each side of the city, which makes it easier, especially for senior citizens or people who don’t drive,” he said. “And it’s going to be a discount store, which makes it even better for people.”
Mayor Kevin Poland said the new store will make life more convenient for residents on the west side, especially when they are in a hurry.
“We’re certainly very excited to see that facility brought to life, not to mention the 35 people who are able to find employment,” he said.
About 35 people will work at the store, which had been vacant since Tops closed in 2005. Another Tops store on South Water Street in Kent closed at the same time. That site remains vacant.
“We’re really pleased that they’ve decided to locate in Ravenna,” Poland said. “We’ve been working with them to do whatever we can to make their opening as easy as possible.”
The store features a meat department stocked with fresh selections of beef, poultry, and pork cut on site daily, a fresh produce department, bakery items, packaged deli items, dairy, a frozen food section as well as a variety of grocery items, health and beauty products, and beverages, including beer and wine.
A variety of value-priced brands will be available, such as Valu Time, Food Club, Full Circle organic foods, Top Care and World Classic.
The store also will feature a Dollar Zone, where customers can find 1,200 general merchandise items, all for $1. In addition, special deals will be offered on different national brand products every week.
Valu King will accept manufacturer coupons, credit cards, EBT and WIC, and will offer shopping bags and carts to customers. The store will not have a pharmacy, deli or bakery.
Last year, Valu King launched its first store in Eastlake.
“We feel Ravenna is the perfect spot for our next store,” said Jeff Galmarini, vice president of Valu King. “Northeast Ohio customers embraced our Eastlake launch, and have given us great feedback about the selection and low prices that Valu King delivers. We’re excited to bring these offerings to Ravenna area customers.”
Valu King is owned by Tamarkin Co., which owned and operated several Valu King supermarkets in Ohio in the 1980s. Giant Eagle later acquired Tamarkin and inherited the stores, eventually converting them to the Giant Eagle name.
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