Big Y completes $4.1M renovation of Cooley Street supermarket

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The newly renovated Big Y World Class Market at 300 Cooley St. in the Five Town Plaza.

(Photo Provided)

SPRINGFIELD -- Big Y Foods Inc. announced Tuesday that it has completed a $4.1 million renovation of its World Class Market at 300 Cooley St. in the Sixteen Acres neighborhood.

The Springfield-based chain, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, is planning a grand reopening for Friday.

Upgraded features are similar to those at its Wilbraham location often used by the family-run company as a showplace.

The Cooley Street location now has:

  • A Living Well Eating Smart section with organic, natural and gluten free products
  • A sushi department with an on-site sushi chef
  • A stir-fry station and salad bar
  • New decor and fixtures in all departments
  • A new cheese case offering more selection
  • New exterior signs
  • A farmers' market-style open-air entrance
  • A new flag pole outside
  • A new floor
  • An improved privacy area in the pharmacy for customers to receive their vaccines. The pharmacy will also host an interactive and informative monthly wellness events. The pharmacy will continue its six-year-old partnership with the Western New England University College of Pharmacy.

In 2015, Big Y added a new roof, parking lot lighting, upgraded HVAC units and a full store generator at the location.

Big Y opened the Cooley Street location in 2003. The store's most recent remodel was in 2008, which cost $1.7 million. The actual sales floor is 43,977 square feet and has 18 total grocery and refrigerated aisles.

Sam Chevalier will continue to manage this store. Chevalier has been with Big Y since 2002, when he started as an assistant produce manager and later a produce manager. He was promoted to store director and assigned to the Rocky Hill, Connecticut, location in August 2015 before transferring to Cooley Street in May.

Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D'Amour, Big Y is one of the largest family-owned supermarket chains in New England. The company has 68 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with more than 11,000 employees.

On Friday, there will be a cake cutting at 10:30 a.m. followed by free samples of sushi, hot soups, super chicken tenders, World World Classics turkey, Berkshire Breads, new cheeses, chicken salad and more, according to a news release.

Big Y also said it plans to donate to Arthur Talmadge School, Mill Pond School, Alfred Glickman School, Elias Brookings School, M. Marcus Kiley Middle School, John J. Duggan Academy, Mary Lynch School, Sabis International Charter School and St. Michael's Academy to reflect Big Y's  commitment to education. Big Y said its education programs include an annual merit scholarship fund that has awarded more than $3 million since 1984, store tours for schoolchildren and support of many local educational programs.

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