Harris Teeter Earns LEED Nod

Harris Teeter's Plaza Midwood location in Charlotte, N.C. has been recognized as a LEED-certified project by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

LEED certification of the project was based on a number of sustainable features, among them reducing water usage by using dual flush/solar-powered toilets, automated/solar powered restroom sink faucets and reduced flow faucets in prep areas; installing a LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roof to help manage stormwater runoff, among other environmental benefits; constructing the building with recycled materials and wood sourced from a sustainable forest; recycling waste generated during construction; and installing doors and LED lighting on the refrigerated cases.

The renovation project began in 2012 when the old building was removed from the site and completely rebuilt before the location reopened in May 2013. The site housed a piece of Charlotte supermarket history: the city's first full service-supermarket. Additionally, the Plaza Midwood store was the first air-conditioned grocery store and the first to stay open until 9 p.m. on Fridays, according to Harris Teeter.

The Matthews, N.C.-based grocer, which merged earlier this year with Kroger, says it will continue to add more sustainable features to its locations as a part of routine maintenance, in addition to building new stores with more energy-efficient designs.