Harris Teeter Reveals Details of Construction Project

Harris Teeter plans to transform its Central Avenue location in Charlotte, N.C., which it has occupied since 1938, from a small store with limited amenities to a place offering quality products and selection while enhancing the already historic Plaza Midwood neighborhood.

Accordingly, the Matthews, N.C.-base grocer officially closed its Central Avenue location on June 5 to embark on a year-long renovation that includes demolishing the existing building to make way for a new two-story location.

The new, approximately 45,000-square-foot art deco building will feature an upstairs mezzanine with both indoor and outdoor seating for shoppers, a greater selection of chef-prepared foods, a soup and salad bar, a bigger specialty cheese selection, a wider variety of wine; and an expanded produce, seafood and service meat offering. In addition, Harris Teeter will incorporate a range of sustainable features at the new site, including water conservation devices and a green roof. The company will also reclaim wood from the existing location and integrate it into components of the new store.

Not content with a new store, the grocer has plans to enhance the streetscape along both Central Avenue and Plaza Road. For the street frontage on Central Avenue, Harris Teeter will build new brick sidewalks, place new trees in planters and create on-street parking. Along the Plaza Road frontage, the company will incorporate new plant strips and brick sidewalks in keeping with Charlotte’s long-range vision for the area and Harris Teeter’s plan to build a pedestrian-friendly space.

Associates assigned to the Central Avenue location will be able to transfer to other Harris Teeter stores. The company will begin demolition work in late June, mobilize the site for work in late July, and plans to have the new building under roof by December 2012, with an anticipated opening date in late spring/early summer 2013.

While the construction project is underway, Harris Teeter customers can shop at the grocery chain’s nearby locations. The company is also providing free delivery service through its new "Harris Teeter Express Lane" delivery program. The service is available in specific ZIP codes and for shoppers whose orders exceed $25.