SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Continuing its ongoing reinvestment in its supermarkets, Ralphs will unveil its newest store in Sherman Oaks on Thursday, April 10 following a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. The new store at 14049 Ventura Boulevard will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. The new store will provide Sherman Oaks residents with one-stop shopping convenience, quality products, new services and great value.”Sherman Oaks shoppers can expect to see great prices, larger product variety and top-notch customer service at our new Sherman Oaks Ralphs Fresh Fare,” said Donna Giordano, president of Ralphs. “We’re excited about the new products and services we are offering in our new Sherman Oaks store and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the community.”The new 72,000 square foot store replaces an older Ralphs that served the Sherman Oaks community for 42 years from the same location before it was closed in 2012.
Community Input
Ralphs worked closely with local community organizations and residents to determine which new and expanded offerings, services and products would best meet the community’s needs. Based on shopper requests and input, the new Sherman Oaks Ralphs Fresh Fare has been uniquely designed to create an outstanding overall shopping experience.
Shoppers visiting the new Sherman Oaks Ralphs Fresh Fare will enjoy an expanded selection of products and services, including an abundance of fresh produce; a fully staffed meat department featuring high quality meats; a fresh seafood department; a full-service bakery featuring fresh breads, rolls and desserts; and a service delicatessen with fresh items for shoppers on the go, a full-service pharmacy and a wide variety of organic/natural and gluten-free offerings.
Murray’s Cheese Shop
In addition to providing residents with one-stop shopping convenience for all their grocery needs, the new Sherman Oaks Ralphs will feature an in-store Murray’s Cheese Shop.
Founded in 1940, Murray’s Cheese is the oldest cheese shop in New York City and is known for its expertise in cheese and huge selection of cheeses from around the world. The Sherman Oaks Murray’s Cheese Shop will offer more than 175 types of cheese – including dozens of local varieties — plus a wide selection of specialty items including crackers, dried fruit, and an olive and antipasto bar.
As part of its commitment to educating its customers, the Sherman Oaks Murray’s Cheese Shop will host several “Meet Your Cheesemaker” events and tastings. The tastings are free and open to the public. Dates and times are:
In addition, Rob Kaufelt, president of Murray’s Cheese and author of The Murray’s Cheese Handbook, will be available to meet customers as part of the store’s grand-opening festivities.
The Sherman Oaks Murray’s Cheese Shop is the fourth Murray’s to open inside a Ralphs supermarket. Murray’s Cheese Shops can also be found at Ralphs supermarkets in Long Beach, Studio City and West Los Angeles.
The San Fernando Valley’s first Kosher Experience
The new Sherman Oaks Ralphs Fresh Fare will also feature a full-service Kosher Experience department. A first for Ralphs in the San Fernando Valley, the Kosher Experience is a 1,500 square-foot store within a store featuring a full-service delicatessen, bakery, meat and seafood department, frozen food section and several aisles of non-perishable kosher food products.
In observance of Jewish tradition, the store’s Kosher Experience is supervised by a Mashgiach, responsible for making sure kosher laws are observed. In addition, the store’s Kosher Experience department features its own meat processing room to further ensure there are no violations of Jewish dietary laws.
Bringing Jobs to the Community
The new Sherman Oaks Ralphs Fresh Fare will employ approximately 240 full- and part-time associates. Store Manager Al Santillo began his supermarket career in 1983 as a part-time Courtesy Clerk. He was promoted to store manager in 1993. Most recently, Santillo managed Ralphs high-volume Studio Plaza store in Studio City.
“I’m looking forward to showing the residents of Sherman Oaks our new store and all it has to offer,” said Santillo. “Our goal is to be the best supermarket in the area by offering our customers great service, selection and quality foods at exceptional value. We look forward to the community joining us at our grand-opening celebration on Thursday, April 10.”
Grand Opening Events and Community Giving
The new Sherman Oaks Ralphs Fresh Fare will host a grand opening celebration at 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 10. Ralphs officials, store associates and local dignitaries will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The celebration will include the presentation of $5,000 in grants from Ralphs to Emek Hebrew Academy Teichman Family Torah Center and Millikan Middle School.
Other special grand opening events include character appearances, product giveaways and samplings, and raffle drawings throughout the weekend. The Grilled Cheese Truck will also make a stop at the Sherman Oaks Ralphs Fresh Fare from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 10 to giveaway 100 free California Meltin’ Cheese Sandwiches to the first 100 customers at the truck.
About Ralphs
Ralphs Grocery Company was founded in 1873 and currently operates 228 supermarkets from its headquarters in Los Angeles. Last year, Ralphs contributed more than $6 million to support education, hunger relief, women’s health and local nonprofit organizations in the communities served by the company’s stores. Ralphs is a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., (NYSE:KR), one of the nation’s largest food retailers, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more about Ralphs, please visit our website at www.ralphs.com.
SOURCE Ralphs