Save-A-Lot Opens N.C. Distribution Center

Save-A-Lot is celebrating the grand opening of its new 330,000-square-foot food distribution center in Lexington, N.C., this week.

Construction on the state-of-the-art facility, located in Lexington’s Business Center, began in January. It will employ 35 employees initially with the potential for hiring additional employees once the facility reaches full capacity. The project is a collaboration with the state of North Carolina and its One North Carolina Fund, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Davidson County and the city of Lexington.

“This project represents an investment of more than $24 million in North Carolina,” said John Gerber, Save-A-Lot VP of distribution. “We are committed to growth in the region. We completed construction ahead of schedule and are thrilled to now be able to begin serving our Save-A-Lot stores throughout the area.”

Currently, there are nearly 30 Save-A-Lot stores in North Carolina, including one in Lexington. The company plans to open an additional three stores in the state by March 2012. The new distribution center will help support the company’s growth plans in North Carolina and surrounding states, which the company has identified as a key region for its growth. Initially, it will service more than 70 stores within a 150-mile radius.

The new distribution center features the latest in green, energy-saving technologies, including lights that only operate when a person is present and an HVAC system with smart thermostats.

To commemorate the opening of the new distribution center, Save-A-Lot is donating $10,000 to community organizations in Lexington, including $5,000 each to Pastor’s Pantry and Communities in Schools of Lexington-Davidson County.

St. Louis-based hard discounter Save-A-Lot, a Supervalu company operates nearly 1,300 stores in 39 states from Maine to California, with plans to expand that number to 2,400 in the coming years.