ALBERTSON'S FOOD AND DRUG OPENS TODAY

Albertson's grocery store will open its doors at 8 a.m. today.

The new 56,540-square-foot store located near the intersection of Independence and Kingshighway offers a variety of products and services featuring a full-service "Butcher's Block," produce, pharmacy "Quick Fixin'" meals, deli and bakery.

"We have a great place here and great team in place to serve our neighbors," said David Alcorn an 18-year Albertson's veteran who comes in from Memphis to serve as director of the company's newest store.

"I'm happy to be in the Cape Girardeau community."

Also opening today is Albertson's Express fuel center located in the parking lot of the new store. The fuel center also offers a number of convenience store items.

The overall Albertson's operations -- open 24 hours daily -- employs about 170 workers.

Albertson's grocery features wide aisles and offers such products as a Starbucks coffee bar, an Edy's ice cream bar and a video shop.

"Our goal is to become the supermarket of choice in Cape Girardeau," said Alcorn.

In celebration of the a new store, Albertson's donated more than 30,000 pounds of food to the American Red Cross office here late Tuesday during a special sneak preview and ribbon cutting. At the same time the new store made donations of $500 each to Cape Central High school and the Osage Community Center.

At today's grand opening, shoppers can participate in contests and drawings to win free groceries and other prizes. Food demonstrations and other activities will take place throughout the week.

Albertson's, a group of almost 2,500 stores in 37 states, is the second largest grocery chain in the United States. Krogers owns about 2,350 stores in 31 states.

The Albertson's company began in 1939 when Joe Albertson opened a small grocery store in Boise Idaho. Last year Albertson's reported sales of $35.9 billion.

Albertson introduced some previously unheard of services in that first store, including a scratch baker, magazine racks, home-made ice cream and an automatic donut machine.

The Quick Fixin' meal area was created during the past decade for "customers who are in need of quick, nutritious and easy meal aides."

That area is always located near the front of the store.

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