Bashas’ To Open Its Newest Prototype Grocery Store In Tempe Nov. 7

With covered parking; a café with flat screen TVs and free Wi-Fi; a gourmet deli with New York style pizzas, specialty sandwiches and made-to-order salads; an expanded bakery with Peet’s Coffee, iced tea and espresso drinks; organic and bulk foods; and local, farm-fresh produce; grocery shopping will soon be a one-of-a-kind experience at the brand-new Bashas’ store in Tempe.

After a more-than-five-month remodel, Bashas’ new, state-of-the-art grocery store is set to open to the public at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7. A large turnout is expected throughout the week and into the weekend, as loyal Bashas’ customers have been eagerly awaiting the opening of their new store, located in Cobblestone Village at the southwest corner of Warner and McClintock Roads in Tempe.

“Families have been counting down the days for this new store to open,” said Bashas’ Store Director Chris Thompson. “We believe that the community will agree that it was worth the wait.”

Area neighbors are invited to attend a free breakfast at the store on Saturday, November 10, from  8 a.m. to 10 a.m., courtesy of Hickman’s Family Farms and Peet’s Coffee. During this event, attendees can enjoy breakfast, check out the new store, and enter to win a Bashas’ gift card.  Bashas’ also will give a monetary donation to Children First Academy of Tempe (formerly Thomas J. Pappas School) as part of the store’s grand opening festivities.

To revitalize the area and contribute to the neighborhood’s stability, the 26-year-old store was completely remodeled this summer, presenting the grocer’s newest prototype design – a contemporary neighborhood store with a fresh appearance.

“During the last 80 years we’ve opened a lot of stores,” said Johnny Basha, Vice President of Special Projects for Bashas’ Family of Stores. “We’ve closed a few, too. But it’s rare for us to close a store and rebuild a completely new store in the same spot. When this new, modern grocery store opens, it will be unlike any other in the state.”

According to Stephen Mariani, Vice President of Asset Management for West Valley Properties, the redevelopment of Cobblestone Village Center resulted from numerous conversations with Bashas’ officials. The conversations centered on the need to provide a modern, state-of-the-art supermarket and shopping center to better serve the needs of its residents. “We both agreed that Tempe residents deserve a shopping center that reflects the neighborhood,” Mariani said.

To accomplish this, West Valley Properties removed a section of the Cobblestone Village center that wasn’t being utilized to its potential, adding 13,000 square feet of usable space to the center. The commercial real estate firm also made major updates to the center’s architectural features, landscaping and parking lot. Here’s what they did to enhance each area:

• Junior Anchor Space: added 13,000 square feet
• Architectural Features: resurfaced the building, refinished the entire exterior surface, painted a coordinated multi-color scheme to enhance the overall appeal of the property, added a variety of new architectural elements to the roof line to provide a more modern look
• Landscaping: removed all unruly landscape and brought in a more orderly, colorful pallet to greatly improve visibility to and throughout the shopping center
• Parking Lot: resurfaced the entire parking area, updated all lighting, and installed two monument signs.

Bashas’ new store in Cobblestone Village is 45,115 square feet. Bashas’ will employ 103 people, including cashiers, courtesy clerks, managers and other members at the new store. Store hours will be from  6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.

“There’s a lot of excitement out there, and we’re looking forward to celebrating this new store in a big way,” said Thompson.

Tempe’s new neighborhood Bashas’ includes:

• Covered parking;
• Customer café with flat-screen televisions & free Wi-Fi access;
• Gourmet deli with New-York-style pizzas, specialty sandwiches & made-to-order salads;
• Locally-sourced produce, fresh from the farm;
• Expanded organic food options;
• More than 200 bulk food items;
• Scratch Bakery with Peet’s coffee, iced tea and espresso;
• Expanded Produce, Meat & Seafood Departments;
• More Wine, Spirits and Beer;
• Front-end self-checkouts; and
• New and improved full-service pharmacy & wellness area.