Oct 25, 2005 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – State and local representatives will join with developers and company officials to mark the Wednesday grand opening of Martin’s Food Store Festivities will get under way at 8 a.m. and include musical numbers by the Connellsville Area High School Marching Band and remarks from various officials, according to Sharon Swope, Giant Food Stores events specialist.

The store is the anchor tenant of the Widewaters Commons located at the intersection of routes 119 and 201.

A second retailer in the strip mall, Dollar Tree, recently opened its doors to shoppers.

Following the ceremony, the supermarket will open its doors to customers.

“Martin’s feels that it will offer another option when residents are doing their grocery shopping,” said Dennis Hopkins, corporate vice president of marketing and public relations.

“We feel we have a beautiful facility, great perishable departments and fuel – all of which we’ll be offering at everyday competitive prices.”

Hopkins also added that many local residents will be at the counters and checkout registers, making the supermarket a hometown business.

“We’re very much looking forward to being a part of Connellsville,” he said.

Marco Marzocchi, Widewaters Development Group real estate development general counsel, who will take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, said Monday that he was pleased that in less than a year, the site had been transformed from a non-productive property to a vital business site.

In December, the city along with Traft Construction Co. and Crane Rental proprietors John R. Ketchem and Richard V. Martin and Brown-Kellogg Inc. turned over their respective interests in the 15.6-acre tract to Widewaters. Construction began in January.

“We’re very happy to be a part of the Connellsville community and the surrounding area,” he said.

“This was a project that took a lot of effort.”

Marzocchi credited city council members and state Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Dunbar) for moving the project from the drawing board to its completion.

“Without the senator’s leadership and his help in getting us through the red tape, it would have been very difficult,” said Marzocchi.

F.L. Gorman, Widewaters retail division manager, said that the New York-based firm continues to be committed to the development project.

“Widewaters is passionate about working with elected officials, municipalities and labor in their commitment to provide the state-of-the-art community amenities,” he said.

The 45,000-square-foot supermarket, meanwhile, will include a bakery, floral shop, a produce section that will offer seasonal organic vegetables and fruits, a delicatessen, pharmacy and fresh seafood and a butcher shop. The supermarket will also feature a salad bar.

A Martin’s gas station is adjacent to the new Martin’s supermarket.