The Save Mart supermarket located on Whitmore Avenue in Ceres, California, which for the past 37 years served residents of that area, closed its doors last Sunday. And just a few steps away from the old place, the supermarket was reborn in a larger warehouse, with a modern design and a larger assortment of food products.

Representatives of Save Mart and various community organizations attended the opening ceremony of the new supermarket. As part of the celebration, the company made several donations to reinforce Save Mart’s commitment to the community.

This is the eighth store under the Save Mart banner to incorporate the brand’s fresh, updated look and the new features geared toward convenience and service.

“We’re excited about making such a big investment to the area. We’re bringing the best of what Save Mart has to offer, and shoppers will see a noticeable difference,” said Store Manager Donna Lambert, who leads a team of 74 employees. 28 positions were created as a result of the bigger store, which stands as just over 43,000 square feet. That’s 15,000 square feet bigger.

Save Mart officials gave a donation of $500 to Ag Boosters of Ceres & the Ceres Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Foundation; and Ceres Christian Church & the Salvation Army each received a $500 gift card.

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All year long, the store donates up to 3% of its sales from Shares member purchases to more than 160 local schools and charities through its Shares powered by eScrip program. Shoppers who sign up for it can designate which non-profits will receive monthly donations.

Save Mart also presented local resident Sheryl Trout the clock that hung in the old store for decades. Her father built and hand-painted it in the early 1980’s. Sheryl requested that she be able to have it to keep as a family memento.

Among the new offerings of the Ceres Save Mart store you will find:

• Burrito/taco/nacho bar with tortillas made fresh in the store.
• A “Valley Fresco” area with vegetable/fruit-infused water, fresh juice bar, smoothies, fresh-cut produce Specialty sandwiches.
• Soup bar.
• In-store grill for hassle-free barbecues – you buy it; we grill it for you!
• Bigger produce department with expanded organic selection.
• Larger floral department.
• Expanded selection of natural, organic & bulk foods.
• Café seating.
• Self-checkout lanes.
• Pharmacy.

Photo gallery of the Save Mart store’s opening on Whitmore Avenue