NEWS RELEASE

MAYOR, BERC, COUNCILMEMBER FONTANA TO CUT RIBBON FOR NEW EAST SIDE SUPERMARKET
SAVE-A-LOT TO FILL GROCERY VOID IN SCHILLER PARK NEIGHBORHOOD

Buffalo, NY- Buffalo's Schiller Park neighborhood's conspicuous void in cost-effective supermarkets was officially filled today at a Ribbon Cutting ceremony featuring Mayor Anthony M. Masiello, Lovejoy District Councilmember Richard Fontana, and representatives of Houchens Industries, operator of Save-A-Lot supermarkets. Many community residents were on hand to welcome Save-A-Lot to their neighborhood, specifically to the corner of Genesee and Crossman streets. For nearly the past year, there was no supermarket serving the area due to the closing of Tops Market at Genesee and Rodgers Road last Winter.

Mayor Masiello and the BERC joined Councilmember Fontana and the Lovejoy District Neighborhood Revitalization Services to actively seek potential supermarkets for the site and found a perfect fit with Save-A-Lot.

"Providing Schiller Park residents with a viable shopping option fills a strong need in this neighborhood," said Mayor Anthony M. Masiello. "We worked hard to identify a prospect that would fit the needs of the community and we applaud Save-A-Lot for their commitment to opening new locations in the city. We are also pleased that 40 jobs are being created for city residents with 18 full time positions to start."

"I am proud that everyone worked together to provide a high quality supermarket for our Schiller Park residents," said Councilmember Richard Fontana. "This new market along with the million dollar renovation to Schiller Park have provided a big boost to our great neighborhood. I also commend Penny Cippola and Innovative Realty for their hard work on the project."

Save-A-Lot selected a former Rite Aid pharmacy to house their new 17,000 square foot facility. This creative re-use serves the purpose of utilizing a vacant building and satisfying the neighborhood demand for a new supermarket. The Genesee and Crossman location makes the third Save-A-Lot location in Buffalo, joining Riverside and the Broadway Market as city locations.

Save-A-Lot operates approximately 900 stores across the nation and espouses a model of smaller stores which carry primarily the groceries shoppers purchase most often. Smaller stores means that shoppers don't pay for excessive overhead or costly inventory.

"We at Houchens Industries, are very excited about opening up our newest Save-A-Lot store in this area of Buffalo. We feel that this will be one of our finest stores," said Save-A-Lot District Manager Paul Pellicano. "We know that when our neighbors in the Genesee/Rogers Road area could come by and check out our low prices and fine line of product, they will make this store their everyday grocery store."

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