Raley's opens with fanfare
Nov 04, 2009 | 2976 views | 38 
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The first Raley’s supermarket in Tracy opened its doors this morning in front of hundreds of customers, employees and local dignitaries.
The grocery store at the intersection of South Tracy Boulevard and Valpico Road has about 120 employees, Raley’s spokeswoman Amy Davis said, and between 80 to 90 percent of them live in Tracy. The building takes up 58,500 square feet, and decorations that echo Tracy’s police department and the city, Tracy and Kimball High Schools are found at the end of some of the aisles.
Raley’s anchors Red Maple Village, which also has 40,000 square feet of commercial buildings. Right now, Chase Bank, Wells Fargo, SuperCuts, Subway and Queen B Nails and Spa have “coming soon” banners displayed. Raley’s is the only store in Red Maple Village open for business at the moment. No tenants have been announced for about 40 percent of the rest of the vacant space.
The shopping center has been under construction since January.
“In the midst of this economy, in the midst of the kinds of things going on around us, this is really a bright spot for this community,” mayor Brent Ives said.
At the ceremony, Environmental Protection Agency spokesman Ray Saracino praised the store for its earth friendliness. He said Raley’s has motion-triggered lights and an efficient refrigeration system, cutting back on energy and water use, and he gave Raley’s an award.
Raley’s chief operating officer Dave Clark said the store will save about 85,000 gallons of water a year.
The store’s parking lot, which was nearly full for the grand opening, also has spots reserved for fuel-efficient vehicles.
“This is the most impressive store I’ve seen across the country,” Clark said. “I think the store is inviting and filled with wonderful merchandise, and I know you’ve taken steps in Tracy to be a green city, and we support that.”
The Raley’s in Tracy will be just the 14th companywide to have the eCart system, where customers can order all of their groceries online and pick them up drive-through style in front of the store.
While the grand opening ceremony was at 8:30 a.m., Clark noted that people were lined up at 5 a.m. for a fresh cup of Peet’s Coffee, also located inside the store.
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today, former Oakland Raiders linebacker Rod Martin will be on hand to sign autographs. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, the store will have a grand opening party with free food sampling and reusable bag giveaways.
Contact Tracy Press reporter Justin Lafferty at 830-4269 or jlafferty@tracypress.com.
The grocery store at the intersection of South Tracy Boulevard and Valpico Road has about 120 employees, Raley’s spokeswoman Amy Davis said, and between 80 to 90 percent of them live in Tracy. The building takes up 58,500 square feet, and decorations that echo Tracy’s police department and the city, Tracy and Kimball High Schools are found at the end of some of the aisles.
Raley’s anchors Red Maple Village, which also has 40,000 square feet of commercial buildings. Right now, Chase Bank, Wells Fargo, SuperCuts, Subway and Queen B Nails and Spa have “coming soon” banners displayed. Raley’s is the only store in Red Maple Village open for business at the moment. No tenants have been announced for about 40 percent of the rest of the vacant space.
The shopping center has been under construction since January.
“In the midst of this economy, in the midst of the kinds of things going on around us, this is really a bright spot for this community,” mayor Brent Ives said.
At the ceremony, Environmental Protection Agency spokesman Ray Saracino praised the store for its earth friendliness. He said Raley’s has motion-triggered lights and an efficient refrigeration system, cutting back on energy and water use, and he gave Raley’s an award.
Raley’s chief operating officer Dave Clark said the store will save about 85,000 gallons of water a year.
The store’s parking lot, which was nearly full for the grand opening, also has spots reserved for fuel-efficient vehicles.
“This is the most impressive store I’ve seen across the country,” Clark said. “I think the store is inviting and filled with wonderful merchandise, and I know you’ve taken steps in Tracy to be a green city, and we support that.”
The Raley’s in Tracy will be just the 14th companywide to have the eCart system, where customers can order all of their groceries online and pick them up drive-through style in front of the store.
While the grand opening ceremony was at 8:30 a.m., Clark noted that people were lined up at 5 a.m. for a fresh cup of Peet’s Coffee, also located inside the store.
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today, former Oakland Raiders linebacker Rod Martin will be on hand to sign autographs. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, the store will have a grand opening party with free food sampling and reusable bag giveaways.
Contact Tracy Press reporter Justin Lafferty at 830-4269 or jlafferty@tracypress.com.
But, I'm really happy that "high prices" and "low lights" are turning people off...leaves shorter lines for those of us who like it...and there seem to be enough to keep it running! ;-)
Bonus points for anyone correctly guessing why they were building delays involved? The local paper, again fails to discuss why the delays.
I just love this newspaper!
Did you notice the brightness in the picture taken by the Tracy Press?
O well, I guess that must have come from Glenn's flash-photography?
Thanks for pointing it out! I guess I wouldn't have seen it that way.
Yes, I can see fine in there, I simply prefer more brightly lit places. Just my preference.
I've only just been there this week, but I could see and talk to people just fine. The lights were on the whole time. They don't just come on at dusk. Even the outside is well lit. Don't take it personal, but I'm not an eye doctor either.
I do really like the store, but sorry it is still a bit dark in there for me. That's just me. I dont like dimly lit restaraunts either. It's like trying to shop or eat outside at dusk right before the streetlights come on.
And the free sample guy was able to point out which foods were spicy and what not. It was clear to see all the food.
But, that was the best part. Just seeing all their smiles clearly shining through. Even on a rainy day.
Winco got sued in Tracy by the duo affectionately known as the LAWSUIT DEPOT. That's why you have to drive to Stockton to shop at your Winco store.
As to the high prices. I shopped Nob Hill in Livermore and nowhere else. I tried the others, but the experience was less pleasurable (employees you can tell hated their jobs, out of stock groceries, long lines) and the food was inferior. I'm happy to pay a little more and have a wonderful meat department that will cut a prime rib in half if you need a little one...or will offer to cut and crack the crab even though it's not included on the sale price...or will get a product in that you want! I never found it to be significantly more...maybe a bit here and there, but if you shop the ads and stock up on sale items...you are a winner!
SaveMart, Safeway and even Wal-Mart should take heed. Look at the to-do over a grocery store opening in this town. If we are all that miserable shopping for necessities, what does that say about the places we were shopping?
Viva La Raley's!!! :-)
ps...they HAVE my Smart Puffs AND the Prime Rib Seasoning (in the meat department) that is AWESOME!!!!
And dont forget Grocery Outlet for some items. It's small, but I get some things VERY cheap there on a regular basis and then finish my shopping somewhere else.
Also their deli, meats and produce is better.The addition of Peete's is great too. I will probably alternate getting items from Save Mart on Schulte (they have a great, friendly staff), Wal Mart and go to Raleys for their produce, deli, quick fixes and to catch their sales. Oh, yes, Costco meats are awesome!
The whole center is beautiful. I hope they get some new great businesses in there.
Will still be shopping at Win-Co and super Wal-Mart in Stockton.