BUILDING REMAINS OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION

More than $3 million worth of improvements will greet customers at Acme Fresh Market when work is completed by Nov. 1.

"We keep putting money back into the community," said Jim Trout, Acme executive vice president. "In the midst of our country's economic situation, we're driving money back into the store.

"When people shop here, they are investing in their own community," he said. "We know we have to earn their business every day, and we're working hard to do that."

The store at 4445 Kent Road, Stow, remains open while the upgrades are being made.

The parking lot is being redesigned to improve traffic flow.

"It will be easier to get in and out of," Trout said. "Parking spaces will be closer to the store."

Trout said the previous parking scheme was north to south. Now, it will be east to west.

"Before, people had to walk across traffic and through the cars to get into the store," he said. "Now, they can walk down the aisles."

Additional outside lighting will be added for customer safety.

The new entrances will have doors on either side of a front window area, which now is covered with wooden paneling.

The size of the store, about 65,000 square feet, will remain the same, Trout said.

Changes inside include creating a "power alley concept" where the deli section is now. It will include the deli, bakery, meat and seafood, and cafe areas.

"We will put perishable items together to create a market concept," he said. "Fresh produce will be the first thing you see."

The floral department is moving to the front of the store, and the section with prepared food will be moved closer to the front.

"We will have better, more efficient lighting inside the store to highlight our products," he said.

Flooring in the power alley and adult beverage sections will be ceramic tile.

Trout said the amount of space for the cold beer area will double.

"The adult beverage section is one of our fastest growing departments," he said. "People like to entertain at home more instead of going out."

In the rear of the store, the frozen food department will expand by one-third "because our customers are telling us they want more choices," he said.

Trout said the store's Asian, Mexican, Italian and Thai food sections will expand.

In the middle of the store, the pharmacy, natural organic food area and greeting cards section will be positioned on tile that will look like oak flooring "to create a destination for health and wellness," he said. "There are a lot of trends toward health and wellness."

He said a certified nurse practitioner will be on hand in the pharmacy area, as well.

New colors of paint on the walls will be "warm and inviting."

"It will make a relaxing shopping experience for our customers with all our great products under one roof," he said.

The Stow location is under the guidance of store director John Finn, who has been with Acme for 44 years.

"John knows what his customers want, and he's going to give it to them," Trout said.

Trout said Acme has been feeding families for more than 120 years.

"We want to provide the best shopping experience for our customers," he said.