Even before new owners Matt and Darlene Cramer agreed to take over the SHOP ‘n SAVE at 450 56th St. in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood, Matt said he knew he’d have to make some changes—about 40,000 square feet of them.
Prior to October, the SHOP ‘n SAVE shared most of the massive building just off Butler Street with a SAVE-A-LOT discount grocer and a Dollar Store. He couldn’t do anything about the dollar store, but in addition to having the same parent company—SuperValu––this SAVE-A-LOT and SHOP ‘n SAVE had the same owner.
“I told him, if I take over the (SHOP ‘n SAVE) the other store has to move out. He agreed to that,” said Cramer. “So we came in and took out the partition wall and that allowed us to make some much needed changes.”
For one, it allowed him to expand the aisle space.
“Before, you could barely turn around with a cart by yourself and definitely had to go past someone to turn,” said Cramer. “It allowed us to expand our produce section and install a new misting system. So now we can offer fresh, unpackaged vegetables.”
“I like it. It’s much easier to get around,” said Kathleen Trent, an employee shopping before heading home to the Hill District after her morning shift. “The other customers seem to like it too and business seems to be picking up.”
Trent said she’s seen some customers coming down the hill from Bloomfield and Garfield since the Bottom Dollar store closed in December.
Cramer, a Duquesne University alumnus who’s spent more than 20 years in the grocery business—the last 10 as SuperValu’s Central Region Retail Technology Manager—said he’d love it if customers came down the hill, but he’s not banking on it.
“I hope business comes down the hill, but I’ve tried that drive to the store a couple of different ways, and it’s tough. The roads are narrow and winding, and at rush hour, it’s really slow,” he said. “Frankly, I’m working on keeping the people from Lawrenceville shopping here, instead of going over to the Waterworks.”
Part of that plan involves not only the expanded fresh produce section, but also the introduction of a Wild Harvest Natural and Organic products section that should appeal to the younger demographic helping to transform the neighborhood.
Cramer, and his wife have also expanded the store’s meat, floral, full-service deli and bakery departments, and are introducing a Dollar Aisle for their value-conscience shoppers.
All this means more work for stock clerk Shane Washington of East Liberty. But that’s fine with him.
“I like it, I’m moving constantly, never get bored,” he said. “I’ve got the best job here.”
The remodeled store also offers double coupons up to 99 cents and weekly specials. Customers who sign up for a SHOP ‘n SAVE Perks Card receive special discounts, along with “Pump Perks” savings on fuel purchases at more than 130 Sunoco gas stations.
To officially celebrate the expansion, on Feb. 12, the Cramers gave away gift cards to random customers, and two received a pair of tickets to an upcoming Pittsburgh Penguins game.
(Send comments to cmorrow@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
