Smart & Final readies Extra! store opening in Lancaster, California

Warehouse-style grocer Smart & Final is set to open its first Smart & Final Extra! store in Lancaster, California, on Wednesday.

Located at 2058 W. Avenue J in Lancaster, the new 32,000-square-foot store will serve shoppers in California’s Antelope Valley, providing its signature budget-friendly household and club-sized products at everyday low prices.

Smart & Final noted that the store opening in Lancaster, situated north of metropolitan Los Angeles, marks its third location in the area, including two stores just to the south in Palmdale. The Lancaster store also is the first of three new Smart & Final locations in California announced this past spring by parent company Chedraui USA, with the second due to open next month in Madera and the third slated for Lompoc (no opening timetable disclosed).

Larger than the legacy Smart & Final stores, the Smart & Final Extra! format blends a wholesale club-style store—but no membership fee—with a traditional supermarket in a value-priced, one-stop shop, including club and traditionally sized groceries, farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, and other fresh foods, frozen products and natural/organic options.

“As a longtime resident of Lancaster, I know families and shoppers from across this community will welcome Smart & Final's unmatched grocery shopping experience, from our fresh produce, quality meats to our extensive selection of club-sized items,” store manager Mireya Flores said in a statement. “Whether you’re shopping for your family or business, we have everything you need to help save our customers time and money in one trip, and that’s it.”

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Store highlights include food options such as First Street private-brand meat, cheese, bread and other offerings; organic groceries and eco-friendly items under the Sun Harvest own brand; a fully stocked deli department, including First Street oven-roasted chickens; products for business and household customers like high-quantity paper goods, beverages, snacks and cleaning supplies; and a floral department. Customers also can get same-day delivery for orders through SmartandFinal.com or the Smart & Final mobile app.

At the Lancaster store’s grand opening, shoppers will receive a free branded tote bag with purchase and can enter to win a Smart & Final gift card. The new Extra! store will be open daily from 6 a.m to 10 p.m. (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on opening day). Smart & Final added that it’s continuing to hire for the new store, as well as for other locations in the area.

Overall, Smart & Final operates 254 Smart & Final Extra! and Smart & Final stores in California, Nevada and Arizona. The Commerce, California-based chain was acquired by Bodega Latina Corp. (now Chedraui USA), part of Mexican retailer Grupo Comercial Chedraui, in a $620 million deal in May 2021. Chedraui USA’s retail network encompasses 378 stores across three banners: Smart & Final, El Super and Fiesta Mart.

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