Sep 6, 2005 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The city’s latest addition to the business community, Martin’s Food Market, will open its doors to customers in mid-November, according to its corporate vice-president of marketing and public relations. Dennis Hopkins said Friday that the grocery store is currently seeking about 150 full- and part-time employees to fill various positions at the site located within Widewaters Commons at the intersection of Routes 119 and 201.

“We’re looking forward to coming to Connellsville,” said Hopkins.

The store is the anchor business for the Widewaters Commons strip mall being constructed by Widewaters Development Group. The New York-based firm purchased the 15.6-acre tract from the city; Traft Construction Co.; Crane Rental proprietors John R. Ketchem and Richard V. Martin; and Brown-Kellogg Inc. in late December.

Construction at the site began in January.

“It’s coming along,” said Tony Gashie, Widewaters project manager. “The (store owners) should be able to start moving in next month.”

Gashie said roadwork along Route 119 is progressing with traffic signals to be installed in the next few weeks.

Widewaters was required to obtain a highway occupancy permit from PennDOT to complete access to the property.

The work includes installing a traffic signal at the entrance of the strip mall complex and a full access, non-signaled entrance along Route 201; and a right-turn lane onto Route 201 from the strip mall entrance along the southbound corridor of Route 119.

In addition to Martin’s, nine retail shops will be housed in the strip mall including Dollar Tree, Check-N-Go, Holiday Hair, New York Pizza and Movie Gallery, said Gashie.

Hopkins said workers have begun moving equipment into grocery the store as the building’s interior is finished, which will be followed by merchandise as the store nears its opening.

The 45,000-square-foot grocery store will include a bakery, floral shop, produce section that will offer seasonal organic vegetables and fruits; a delicatessen, pharmacy and fresh seafood and butcher shops. A gas station is also being built adjacent to the store. The company will encourage customers to participate in a bonus card program that offers discounts and savings on in-store promotions, said Hopkins.

The company, he added, participates in various community activities throughout the year, especially those that improve the welfare of children and eradicate hunger.

“We want to be good community partners,” said Hopkins.

He encourages those seeking jobs with the company to go to the corporation’s Web site at http://www.martinsfoods.com and complete the employment application. Interviews will be conducted prior to the store opening.

The Martin’s parent company – Giant Food Stores – has facilities in the eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. The company has three stores in Altoona, one in DuBois and Indiana.

City Councilman Bruce Jaynes, who has long supported the project, said the city and area will benefit with the new development.

“The city is going to flourish,” he said. “There will be jobs and with that comes a greater tax base. “I’m looking forward to it being completed.”