Lunds Preps for New Digs in Downtown St. Paul
As it commemorates its 75th anniversary this year, Lunds and Byerly’s is putting the finishing touches on a sleek new urban location in downtown St. Paul. The concept store, which will bring everything customers have come to expect from the Edina, Minn.-based grocer's existing locations – namely, extraordinary food, exceptional service and expertise – is poised to make its debut as the city's first full-service grocery store on May 15, on the first level of the Penfield Apartments at Robert and 10th Streets.
"There has been a renewed vitality taking place in downtown St. Paul," explained Tres Lund, president and CEO of Lund Food Holdings. "One thing the community has lacked, until now, is a full-service grocery store. Our store team of nearly 80 employees is eager to provide the community with this much-needed amenity.”
The 27,000-square-foot store, which will be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight, will also feature a medley of signature products in various store departments, including an array of prepared foods for lunch and dinner ranging from chef-crafted, grab-and-go foods and an incredible salad bar to Big Bowl Chinese Express and fresh-rolled sushi from Hissho Sushi. Additional amenities include Caribou Coffee, Bachman’s floral, St. Croix Cleaners dry cleaning and a café seating area.
'Major Milestone'
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman praised the arrival of the new store, and its widely admired local owners. "Our downtown residents can finally enjoy a quality, full-service grocery store in their neighborhood,” said Coleman. “Lunds’ investment is a crucial one as we continue to see many major exciting milestones across the city this year."
Lunds Penfield is easily accessible by foot (just a few blocks from the business district), by car (free parking ramp), or via the Green Line of the Central Corridor (light rail station one block from store), which is slated to open June 14.
“I grew up on the East Side of St. Paul and it’s great being part of this vibrant city again,” said Mike MacRae, general manager of Lunds Penfield. “When you’re working in your own community, you can’t help but connect even more with your customers.”
Lund Food Holdings, Inc. operates 12 Lunds and 11 Byerly’s grocery stores and one Lunds & Byerlys Kitchen in the Twin Cities and surrounding area.
A Storied 75th
In related news, as part of its 75th anniversary festivities, Lund's and Byerly's is inviting its employees, customers and affiliated partners to help celebrate the milestone by sharing personal stories about how the company has touched their lives. From now through Aug. 31, stories can be shared on the grocer's dedicated microsite, which will in turn be entered into a weekly drawing for a chance to win $75 Lunds and Byerly’s gift cards, with up to 18 chances to win throughout the duration of the contest. The grocer will also donate $7.50 to Second Harvest Heartland for each story it receives.
Further, all contributors' stories will be entered into a contest for a $750 grand prize Lunds and Byerly’s gift card, which will be awarded to the employee and customer story that each receives the most votes online from July 15-Aug 31.