Friedman’s Saxonburg to Reopen After Fire
Friedman’s Saxonburg Supermarket was destroyed by a devastating fire on May 13, 2004. Work on reopening the store began immediately after the fire. In less than seven months, with hundreds of thousands of hours involved on the part of many people, the rebuilding process has been completed. Friedman’s Saxonburg Freshmarket opened to the public on Friday, December 10, 2004 at 10:00am. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at that time.
Many of the associates of the former store have been working at other Friedman’s stores over the past few months. Ray Carbin will replace the former Store Manager Ron “Mick” McCandless, who retired during the summer. Joining Ray are the following management teammates: Co-Manager Don Eury, Assistant Manager Jim Geibel, Meat Manager Howard Christie, Deli Manager Karen Venditto, Baker Manager Jackie Fish, and Office Manager Betty Horan.
The new store sits on the same “footprint” as the old store, but once inside you’ll notice many changes. The sales area was expanded by approximately 1,000 square feet to add more fresh offerings, conveniences, and services. The new store is bright, airy and fresh.
New produce cases display the freshest possible fruits and vegetables. Over 400 items will be sold in the department, and increase of 25%! Fresh fruit cups and other value-added items are prepared daily and available at all times. Produce is delivered fresh daily from the Pittsburgh Produce Terminal in the Strip District. Specialty items will be available when in season. Local items like potatoes and organics are offered during the season.
The floral department was expanded to include store-made arrangements, balloons, candles, vases, other gift items, and our custom-made gift baskets. Full wedding and other special event packages are available. Boutonnieres and corsages are made-to-order. Seasonal bouquets are always great for special last minute gifts.
The deli department was upgraded with additional Grab-n-Go and Convenience Cuisine items, hot foods, deli meats, cheeses, salads, and a salad bar. A huge new cheese island and olive bar will display 9-10 different varieties of LaRussa Olives and imported and domestic cheeses. You can make your own special salad in the fresh salad bar. A hot dinner will be featured every day in the hot food department. A new mini coffee bar will carry flavored coffee.
In the bakery, you’ll find fresh baked breads, rolls, cakes, and hand-scooped Hagen Ice Cream. You can have a cake professionally decorated to your specifications. You can mix or match Krispy Kreme donuts, delivered fresh daily. Our new oven is capable of baking crusty French and Italian breads.
Deli Manager Karen Venditto can assist you with any catered event. Friedman’s Custom Catering specializes in holiday parties, wedding receptions, birthday parties, graduations, and other family and company events.
The frozen foods department was doubled in size. The new cases allow for over 600 new frozen food items including a selection of organic entrées.
New dairy cases accommodate over 150 new items that we were not able to carry before.
Many specialty items were added for your shopping convenience and over 2,500 new items were added to the grocery department including a wider variety of foods; a complete “dollar store within a store”; new organic and natural foods department; and expanded pet center; and an expanded array of health and wellness items.
Our meat department offers full-service fresh-cut meats and seafood in our new Land and Sea Butcher Shop. All of our fresh meats are fresh daily and we never add water or “solutions” to our Creekstone Farms Premium Black Angus beef. Our fresh seafood shop offers the finest seafood from around the world, delivered fresh every day form Wholey’s in the Strip District. Additional prepared meat products like stuffed chicken breasts, stuffed pork chops, meatloaf, ham loaf, shish-kabob, and new seafood items requested by customers are available.
Special services including ATM, copies, fax, lottery, money orders, video rental, Rug Doctor carpet cleaner rentals, and dry cleaning are offered in the customer service center. Friedman’s Gift Certificates make a perfect gift for the hard-to-by-for person.
Friedman’s Supermarkets and Bilo Foods is celebrating 104 years serving Butler County. The company has six stores in Butler County and one in Morgantown, West Virginia.
