Murrieta Stater Bros.' Remodel Gets Closer to Completion

Things are moving at Stater Bros. on Hancock Avenue in Murrieta.

One thing customers have had to adjust during the current remodel is the relocation of many of their favorite items. Dairy is now on the left, and the new, expanded liquor section is on the right.

The grocery store started a remodel in October, which will wrap up in early August, said Jack Brown, Chairman and CEO of San Bernardino-based Stater Bros.

"It takes a while because we are staying open," Brown said by phone Wednesday.

Brown said items may have to be moved a few more times before they reach a permanent location, but that the Stater Bros. Training Center team will be on hand during the first few weeks of the grand re-opening to help point customers in the right direction.

The Murrieta location--one of 167 Stater Bros. stores in Southern California--is being transformed into a Blue Ribbon store. It will mark the company's 52nd Blue Ribbon store meaning it will offer many extras, according to Brown.

Grocery item placement will correlate with other locations, making it easier for shoppers when they stop at other Stater Bros. stores, Brown said.

The remodel work is being done by Stater Bros. Development, and means crews can work 24 hours a day.

When completed, the meat and seafood department will be expanded 25 percent, and the new deli and bakery area will offer a pizza oven and cafe-style seating.

There will be a new floral department, as well as a larger fresh produce section.

"We will offer 800 (produce) items--most supermarkets carry 400 to 450," Brown said.

"In addition to that, we haven't forgotten about the environment. We have new energy-efficient cases with LED lighting," he said. "Also our lighting is solar, so we are using solar power during the day.

"It is all part of our attempt to reduce costs and protect the environment."

The first opened in 1999. Stater Bros. is exclusive to Southern California and operates in five counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles and Kern. The first market was opened by Cleo and Leo Stater in 1936 in Yucaipa during the Great Depression.

Brown has served as CEO since 1981. He got his first job in a supermarket at the age of 13 as a box boy.

"All of our management team have bagged groceries, versus some of these other Harvard graduates. So that gives us an understanding of what customers want."

No employees are out of work during the Murrieta remodel.

"With the remodel, we will also be hiring some additional people. The interviews for those jobs will be posted.

"Murrieta has been a wonderful store for us and as part of our 75th anniversary it is a way to say thank you to Murrieta."