It was 9:14 Sunday morning and the parking lot in Johnston Towne Centre was jam-packed. The south side of Route 6 was filled with red, white and blue custom bow flags promoting the grand opening of PriceRite Supermarket.
PriceRite opened its first store in 1995 in Springfield, Mass., and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wakefern Food Corporation. Shoppers called it “a wonderful and welcome addition to Johnston.”
Jennifer Camara, who owns and operates New England Protective Services, whose staffers helped traffic flow smoothly during Sunday’s grand opening, said the new and colorful store was “awesome.”
“This is a great beginning for PriceRite; one of the biggest things I’ve noticed is the spirit of the people. Everyone is just so, so friendly,” Camara said, while talking with Kurt Schuster, a member of the PriceRite team who was on hand to make sure Sunday’s grand opening went off without a hitch.
Judy Ramsay of North Scituate said she liked the layout of the store.
“It’s beautiful and it’s new. This store is so well laid out; it’s incredible. There’s easy access to find whatever you need – or want,” she said.
“I haven’t been inside yet,” said Deb Iafrate, a friend of Ramsay who lives in North Providence. “But I’m excited to see what PriceRite has brought to Johnston. This store is even beautiful on the outside.”
Johnston resident Jennifer Musr, who was shopping with her 5-year-old daughter Alexandra, added, “I love this store. I’ve been waiting for it to open. For me, it’s easily accessible; I live right up the street.”
Johnston Police Deputy Chief Daniel O. Parrillo, the officer in charge Sunday, said he was impressed with the new store.
“It’s obvious that careful planning went into this great development. There’s a lot of detail in this supermarket,” he said.
Arnie Vecchione, Johnston’s director of Public Works, said, “Incredible! Just Incredible! This is what Mayor [Joseph] Polisena brought to town.”
Polisena said, “I’m excited this PriceRite project came to fruition. I kept telling people over and over that if you build it, people will come. And look, this place is packed and will continue to be so with the prices and products that PriceRite offers.”
There was yet another side to Sunday’s grand opening that reaffirms just how great of a fit Johnston is for PriceRite.
“Every PriceRite supports local charitable organizations that fight hunger in the communities we serve,” said Neil Duffy, the supermarket chain’s president. “We’re proud to be part of the community and are really, really happy to be here in Johnston.”
Few Rhode Island communities, if any, have more community oriented non-profit organizations than Johnston. From its ever-growing youth sports organizations to its services for senior citizens and religious groups, the town has something for just about every resident.
It’s ironic, but one of PriceRite’s themes is similar to how the well-organized non-profits operate: “At PriceRite, you pay for the good, not the fills found in other stores.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here