REVERE, Mass. — A former Johnnie's Foodmaster store here will reopen Friday under the Save-A-Lot banner, owner John DeJesus told SN on Wednesday.
An influx of price-focused competitors to the area — including Price Rite, BJ's Wholesale and Market Basket — sparked the banner change, he said.
"As the economy goes, you have to look at each store and ask, 'Where are we heading? Is this going to appeal more to an upscale customer or an economy minded customer?' I'd been talking with Save-A-Lot for quite a bit and we finally were able to strike a deal," DeJesus said.
"The good thing about the model is, you're a licensee, but you still can own and operate your store. I don't want to work for someone else," he said.
DeJesus said the store, which opened in 1978, got $500,000 in renovations since closing in August. Changes include removing the service deli and seafood counters, allowing labor savings to be applied to lower prices, he said.
DeJesus said he would look into other locations to open additional Save-A-Lot stores and is considering switching a few of his other 10 Foodmaster stores to the Save-A-Lot banner.
