Shoppers who walk into the newly renovated Tops location in Cheektowaga will notice fresh-cut produce right at the entrance.
Williamsville, N.Y.-based Tops Friendly Markets spent $2.7 million to renovate this store that serves a cross population of the community, with access to The Walden Galleria Mall, New York State Thruway and the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, according to a news release. This renovation marks the 25th location recently updated with a new look and a renewed focus on fresh departments — including an expanded fresh produce department.
The seasonally focused department will include fresh-cut vegetables, fruit and trays, prepared for ready-to-serve convenience. Tops partners with more than 500 local produce and dairy farmers including several neighbors right in western New York, such as Eden Valley Farms. The company's buyers support product grown by New York State farmers who adhere to the New York State Grown and Certified program's requirements, which includes verification of safe food handling practices and participation in environmental sustainability programs.
Related: Tops adds Instacart to nine more stores
This 80,542-square-foot store will offer new, enhanced services, an expanded assortment of products, and an enlarged fresh perimeter with new updated décor. The company operates 150 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, including five run by franchisees.
Besides the interior décor, exterior paint with decorative awnings and landscaping, this renovated store has energy efficient equipment and LED lighting both inside and out, solar-powered efficiencies, new flooring, expanded self-check outs and renovated restrooms.
Photo: Courtesy of Tops
Store Manager Camille Cottrel said she and her team are focusing on freshness, convenience and variety.
“You'll find everything here at your newly remodeled Cheektowaga store and with all of the inspiring products,” she said in the release. The floral department is expanded too.
The August 9 Grand Re-Opening celebration is open to the public, who can get the chance to win prizes like $1,000 in Tops gift cards for food and fuel, four tickets to the Nov. 13 game between the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota and a dinner for two with local Chef Darian Bryan at The Plating Society.
The expanded deli and carry-out café will have extensive prepared salads and other grab-and-go breakfast, lunch and dinner options.
Throughout the store, shoppers will also see an increase of antibiotic-free items, plant-based options, sustainable food, and a larger selection of USDA-certified organic fully integrated in aisles.
Related: Tops adds Shop + Scan app service to four more NY stores
For those who need to shop faster, there's Tops Grocery Pick Up and Delivery and a new Shop+Scan app that lets shoppers bag as they go. With online ordering, customers can get their orders delivered from the store to their door in as little as an hour or can drive up and have their groceries loaded into their vehicle in minutes.
Photo: Courtesy of Tops
The Cheektowaga Tops store is donating $1,000 to these organizations that support the community:
- Best Self Behavioral Health
- Cheektowaga Fire (U-Crest Fire Department #4)
- Cheektowaga Police Benevolent Fund
- Erie County SPCA
- St. Luke's Food Pantry