Shoppers, who are keeping their chins up as they shop at the Soundview King Kullen during the expansion, will be pleased to know the ambitious construction project will be completed as scheduled and that King Kullen will begin expanded operations in the early spring. The renovation will accommodate a greater variety of groceries and perishable items, such as produce, and include a Wild By Nature "store within a store" which will be stocked with a broad selection of organic foods, including fruits, vegetables, groceries, bulk foods and other health products.

The renovation, which began in September 2002, will expand floor space for shoppers from 41,000 square feet to approximately 48,000 square feet, a sixteen percent increase. A spokesman for King Kullen, Edward J. Glackin, vicepPresident, Real Estate, offered some insights into King Kullen's plans for the Port Washington peninsula. Glackin has been handling all real estate matters for the past nine years at King Kullen.

Glackin said the expansion of the King Kullen store in Port Washington and the concurrent construction of a new King Kullen supermarket at the Manhasset Center shopping hub on Northern Boulevard reflect his company's efforts to improve service on the Port Washington peninsula and surrounding communities. These facilities promise to be modern, up-to-date supermarkets that offer customers the selection and services they deserve and desire. He stated that local residents would soon be able to enjoy a broader array of products and services, as well as a convenience he described as one-stop-shopping.

In speaking of Soundview, Glackin confirmed what many shoppers believed, i.e., King Kullen was making extraordinary efforts to accommodate them during the transition. Additional clerks were shifted to checkout duties when waiting times were longest. The checkouts, which were occasionally drafty during the winter due to the proximity to Manhasset Bay, will be more comfortable for both cashiers and customers when the entrance area and checkout section are enlarged and completed. A new sidewalk extension is planned to accommodate pedestrians and automobiles picking up and discharging shoppers. The interior of the Soundview store will also sport an all new and up-to-date décor, with the floor, wall finishes and signage blending seamlessly with the existing interior. All mechanical systems will be upgraded to maintain the store's climate and refrigeration systems.

Glackin attributes the ability to undertake the ambitious project over the cold winter months to sound planning and the assistance of capable contractors. The store's management has maintained an ongoing dialogue with Mayor Thomas Pellegrino of Port Washington North and Acadia Realty Trust, the shopping center owner and manager. Glackin concluded, "This project is one of many that King Kullen has initiated over the years to better serve our growing customer base on Long Island. We're proud to be a part of the Port Washington peninsula and look forward to providing customers with expanded services, greater selection, and a more enjoyable shopping experience."

Headquartered in Bethpage, New York, King Kullen Grocery Company, Inc. is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as America's first supermarket. Founded in 1930 by Michael J. Cullen, King Kullen today employs more than 4,800 people and operates 48 stores throughout Long Island and Staten Island.