Giant opens in Seven Corners

Bill Randall, the manager of the Seven Corners Giant, speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Giant Food officials, local leaders, employees, and customers celebrated the opening of the new Giant grocery store in Seven Corners March 6.

The totally renovated 69,000-square-foot store is located in the space formerly occupied by Shoppers.

Big signs help shoppers find what they need.

Ira Kress, the interim president of Giant Food, called the new energy-efficient store “the future of Giant Food,” as it exemplifies the company’s updated layout and expanded selection of high-quality items.

“We know the little things matter to our customers,” Kress said.

Reminder: International Women’s Day is Sunday, March 8.

The new Giant has a Starbucks, PNC Bank branch, a fresh-cut fruit station, a large “hot bar” with freshly made pizza and other prepared dishes, fresh sushi, a salad bar, an expanded cheese section, large selection of ethnic foods, a pharmacy, bakery, florist, and large wine and beer section.

Local residents concerned about coronavirus bought up the store’s entire supply of face masks shortly after the doors opened at 7 a.m.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Giant officials presented $1,000 checks to the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation, the Patrick Henry Family Shelter, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, and the Mason Police Station’s community engagement committee.

The new Giant has about 100 employees. Local 400 of the United Food and Commercial Workers union had been threatening a strike against Giant and Safeway earlier this year, but the union reached a tentative agreement with Giant last week and a new contract was ratified March 5. A tentative agreement with Safeway was also signed March 5, averting a strike.

The Annandale Giant is part of a group of stores being evaluated for the next round of renovations to start in 2021, said Gary Budd, director of strategic planning and execution. Giant renovates about a dozen stores a year.