Save Mart reopens at Crossroads in Riverbank. Find out about unique offerings & upgrades
The Save Mart grand reopening in the Crossroads at Riverbank shopping center Thursday morning drew a few hundred community members and local dignitaries, including Riverbank Mayor Richard O’Brien and Riverbank CouncilwomanDarlene Barber-Martinez.
Inside the refurbished store, shoppers immediately are greeted by the new floral department. A first of its kind for the grocery chain, the department has a full-time florist and will offer custom arrangements in addition to its extensive floral variety to mix your own bouquet.
Save Mart Vice President of Produce and Floral Mike Veneziano said most of the flowers are California-grown and some varieties are from local suppliers.
In the produce section are new display areas of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. The produce is cut daily in-house and offers a convenient option for those who want to prepare meals at home more quickly, Veneziano said. “We found that many of our customers began cooking more during the pandemic” and have stayed with it, he said.
In the bakery and deli department, shoppers will find a selection that goes well beyond common cakes and pastries. Mexican confections including tres leches and dulce de leche cakes, geletina rings, fruit- and cream-stuffed conchas and a variety of pan dulce are among the new offerings.
A smoker was added to the deli, and depending on the day, customers can pick up smoked ribs, pulled pork, chicken and more. The hot case features daily specials from tamales to chicken nuggets and wings.
Save Mart’s new cheese section offers over 275 types of specialty products. The feature is unique to this location and is staffed by a dedicated cheesemonger. The store celebrated this section with a Parmesan cheese-cutting presentation as two employees artfully cut a large wheel and handed out tastings.
The seafood and meat section also got an overhaul. The store has partnered with California fisheries to offer sea bream, rock cod, salmon and more as whole fish. Through the weekend, the store is featuring a seafood roadshow with colossal king crab legs, lobster and jumbo shrimp on special through Sunday, Sept. 15.
Rounding out the food is the upgraded wine and spirits department. Save Mart has significantly expanded its offerings to feature 300 wines, 100 spirits and 100 beer varieties. One section highlights local vintners. There is even a locked case with rare bourbons and other spirits exclusive to this store.
Throughout the store, newly installed TV screens show deals and specials.
Additionally, the beverage, chip and snack areas have been expanded with healthier and premium options.
Thursday’s reopening celebration included the giveaway of grocery bags full of groceries and mystery gift cards to the first 100 shoppers. Just outside the main entrance, Big Red, California’s largest and fastest shopping cart, revved its engine as the ribbon was cut. Save Mart presented $5,000 in community investments with donations to Central Valley Community Resources, Christian Family Food Sharing, Stanislaus Consolidated Fire District, Cardoza Middle School, and Riverbank High School.
The Riverbank Save Mart store, 2369 Claribel Road, opened in 2008 and has gone through upgrades in previous years, but not at this level.
Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs, Jennifer Shelton said there is a plan to upgrade other older Save Mart locations in the region over the next year.
The grand reopening celebration continues through Sunday. For specials and a schedule of tasting events, check the weekly ad at savemart.com/flyers/105.
This story was originally published September 12, 2024 at 6:30 PM.
