Ellington

Shoppers at the Signal Mountain Road Bi-Lo are sure to notice several changes due to the store’s recent renovation, the first upgrade it has received in 12 years.

“We were basically past due for renovations,” said store Director Max Bates, explaining that Bi-Lo typically upgrades stores every five years but has not done so recently due to bankruptcy issues. “[Bi-Lo] is really coming into the market and investing.”

Bates said cases have been replaced in the store’s deli, produce and meat departments. The store’s frozen food case has been expanded by 60 feet and the frozen meat section by 12 feet.

“We wanted to give a better selection and variety for our customers,” he said.

The dairy section was also expanded by 20 feet, and doors to the cases were replaced for greater energy efficiency, said Bates.

The floral department has been moved and expanded to provide a larger selection, he said. The store’s meat and seafood sections now have new service cases boasting layouts better for both efficiency in production as well as serving customers.

Inside the cases customers will find new featured sections, such as the “meal to-go” case, where shoppers can find everything necessary for a full meal including meat, vegetables, salad and cut fruit. Bates said the items featured in the case change weekly, but it currently includes beef and chicken kabobs, salad, corn, asparagus and squash.

Bi-Lo’s new “wall of value” draws attention to the store’s sale items, which are now featured in one place for customer convenience.

Shoppers can stretch out on new cozy chairs in the café to use the free Wi-Fi now available throughout the store, and Bi-Lo will soon change its video kiosk from Blockbuster to Redbox, said Bates.

He said 20-25 new employees have been hired to work on the store’s front end as well as the deli.

Customer reactions have been positive and business has increased since the renovations, said Bates.

“I love my Bi-Lo,” said Suzanne DeBolt, who travels to the store from her Sequatchie County home on Signal Mountain. “I like the layout; it’s open and the aisles are long.”

Signal Mountain resident Hilda Atkinson said she shops at the Bi-Lo each week and is impressed with the fresh store.

“It’s pretty and very convenient,” she said.

Bates said the Rivermont Bi-Lo recently received similar renovations, which are soon to come at Bi-Lo’s Highway 58 and Dayton Boulevard locations.