New Big Y Market Features Green Energy Innovations
The Big Y World Class Market scheduled to open Aug. 23 in Franklin, Mass. – the grocer’s second location in the greater Boston area – boasts the latest in energy-efficient technology, including solar panels and two auto-charging stations.
Needham, Mass.-based Bowdoin Construction Corp. was the general contractor, in partnership with several local subcontractors, including Tom Gioloso Construction Inc. in Rockland, Mass., for the $14.5 million construction project that kicked off in September 2011.
The location features 902 solar panels to provide power that’s equivalent to about 15 percent of the electrical use in the store. Additionally, Nashville, Tenn.-based Green Power Technology two has installed two Coulomb auto-charging stations in the parking lot to enable customers and employees to recharge electric vehicles.
Springfield, Mass.-based Big Y also put in a range of energy-efficient technologies that will reduce the store’s electrical consumption by more than 800,000 kilowatt-hours annually, a savings equivalent to providing electricity to 69 homes or taking 108 cars off the road every year.
Further, the location’s eat-in-café area offers free wi-fi and USB charging outlets for cell phones, smartphones and other portable devices.
Other features of the new store include an International Food Court serving a variety of prepared foods, local and organic produce, a full-service floral department, premium beef and poultry selections, more than 100 varieties of fresh fish, sliced-to-order deli meats and cheeses, a full bakery shop that includes 35 varieties of single-serve desserts, extra-wide grocery aisles stocked with specialty and gluten-free items, and a supervised in-store play area for kids,
As part of the grand-opening celebration, Franklin’s 16 schools will each receive 500,000 Education Express points for use in obtaining free equipment, books, software, musical equipment and sporting goods.
Family-owned and -operated Big Y operates 66 locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts, with more than 10,000 employees.