CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - A major interior remodel of the Safeway grocery store on 7301 Greenback Lane is well underway with a projected March completion date likely, store management said. As part of the makeover, each shopping aisle is named after a prominent street in Citrus Heights.

“Many customers are now rediscovering our store as we remodel, and shopping this Safeway for the first time,” said store manager, Rich Lopez. “I think they will be quite pleased with the new improvements the company has made.”

“We’re excited to be in the process of a major remodel at the Citrus Heights Safeway,” said Wendy Gutshall, director of public and government affairs for Safeway’s northern division. The design decision to add city names to the store’s aisle toppers helps Safeway make a strong connection to the greater Citrus Heights local community, she said.

The Citrus Heights Safeway store employs about 100 people. Lopez, who lives on Mariposa Avenue, and has been store manager for the past four years said he was delighted to see that local street names were incorporated in the company’s redesign of his store.

“The store was in need of a refresh,” he said. Construction began in late fall. Lopez said major improvements include a refreshed deli, produce section, meat department and an upgraded pharmacy.

Improvements include new freezer cases and aisle shelving. New digital screen displays can be found throughout the store. A larger assortment of higher-end meats, produce, deli items and grocery items can also be found throughout the store, he said.

When customers walk down aisle four named for Kenneth Avenue, they will find frozen pizza, vegetables and breakfast items in bright, new display cases. Take a turn down aisle five named for Carriage Drive to find frozen desserts and ice cream.

Expect heavy family traffic on aisle seven, named after Mariposa Avenue where baby food, diapers and paper goods can be found.

“I live on Mariposa Avenue, not far from San Juan High School, so that’s one of my favorite aisles,” Lopez said.

Pet owners may promenade down aisle eight, named for San Juan Avenue, to pick up dog and cat food.

Aisle names also include Trenton Way, Oak Avenue, Hazel Avenue and Wachtel Way.

“The staff and I are delighted to see the ongoing progress of the remodel. We’re expecting it to be done by March 10^th at which time Safeway will have a public celebration,” he said.

“We’ve had quite a few customers notice the new aisle signage, especially those who live on those well-known city streets,” he said.

Lopez said the best part of his job is taking care of his customers and having them leave his store happy, knowing they saved money on their groceries at Safeway.

“We also added new self-checkout lanes about eight months ago, and they’ve also proved quite popular,” he said.

News that the remodeled Citrus Heights Safeway carries an historic theme came as welcome news to Larry Fritz, president of the Citrus Heights Historical Society.

“It’s a great way to celebrate local history,” Fritz said. The Citrus Heights Historical Society has had its own historical panel displays featured inside the Sunrise Mall.

Gutshall said she would encourage Fritz to reach out to Safeway’s corporate office in Pleasanton for the possible placement of historic photos in the remodeled Citrus Heights store.

“Feel free to pass along my contact information to Larry Fritz at the Citrus Heights Historical Society.  I would be interested to learn more about the historical photo opportunity and share with the appropriate individuals for consideration,” she said.

For convenience, customers at the Greenback Lane Safeway store are offered curbside grocery pick-up. A “drive-up and go” pick-up service allows customers to place their grocery orders online for a scheduled pickup-time. A Safeway associate will put the groceries directly into the customer’s vehicle, Lopez said.