North Park’s Albertsons getting a major renovation

By Marie Khris Pecjo

New floors, new ceilings, new food racks.These are just a few of the improvements being made this summer to the Albertsons store on University Avenue. It is the 63-year-old building’s first facelift in almost a decade.
With the renovation already in the works, most shoppers won’t notice a major physical change since the core of the labor is being done after hours. That’s good news for consumers, given that the store’s normal operating hours are not affected.
“We want the customers to be proud to shop at their neighborhood store,” says Ron Terrones, store director. “You support them in that way and they come and support you. We try and make a family.”
From the shopping carts to the store’s sign, nothing will be untouched during the renovation. Even the parking lot will be given a once-over. Albertsons’ remodeling is not only skin deep, it will also go through an extensive internal transformation.
Improvements will be made everywhere. All frames on freezer doors will coordinate with the frames on refrigerator tables — all polished black, for example.  If something is not new, the remodel will make it look new. Terrones says everything under the  fluorescent lights will glisten with improvement.
Four-year customer Nicole Mansfield says the store needs the remodel. “A bigger bakery and more variety would be nice,” she says. “Other stores are confusing with their aisles. At least here you can figure things out.”
In addition to the refurbishing of food shelves and color coordinating fixtures, all aisles will be arranged to better serve customers. If customers want to buy sodas, they will not have to hassle with extra aisles to find their favorite brand of chips. After the remodeling, food “sweethearts,” like the chips and the sodas, will be placed together for greater convenience.
Albertsons customers will not only benefit from the poished furnishings, but also from new food selection. A self-serve bar of hot wings will be made available. The current islands of cheeses and ready-to-go meals will fuse into one island to make room for the hot wing bar.
Baked good enthusiasts won’t be forgotten. Like several sections of the store, the bakery will be upgraded. The cake case will extend and wrap around the deli, offering more choices of sweet treats.
Current choices in the produce department are limited in terms of organic assortments. With the store situated in an area that embraces healthier cuisines, additional organic products could be added. “I encourage customers for any produce item suggestions,” says Angel Estrada, produce manager.
“More organics in the produce department would be great,” says Greg Ellis, who has been shopping at Albertsons for seven years. “The store has been rundown. It would be nice to improve it.” He and other customers may welcome the store’s plans to add more gluten products as well as meatless products to its line of foods.
Albertsons’ customers are not the only ones energized about the store’s renovations. “I am very excited about the change,” says Service Operation Manager Sabrina Lira, a 23-year employee. “Things will be up-to-date and it will benefit the community.”
The store currently has 68 employees, but more may be added after the renovation, depending on sales, says Torrones.
The store’s parent company, Super Value, is financing the renovation, which is scheduled to be finished on Aug. 25. Grand reopening ceremonies will be held here and three other Albertsons stores undergoing renovation — in Hillcrest, Pacific Beach and Carlsbad.
Albertsons is at 2235 University Ave. Phone (619) 291- 0540.