StarBulletin.com

Aina Haina Foodland set for upscale change


By

POSTED: Saturday, August 22, 2009

Foodland's store in Aina Haina will close at 5 p.m. tomorrow to begin a five-month renovation that will transform it into a more upscale market.

The 25,000-square-foot store, which opened in 1950, will be reformatted into Foodland Farms, the first store of that format on Oahu and the second in the state. Store employees will be temporarily transferred to other Foodland and Sack N Save locations during the interim.

About 25 additional new positions will be added when the new Foodland Farms store opens in February.

The renovated Foodland Farms will offer new full-service meat, seafood, deli, bakery and produce departments. The store also will provide a greater selection of natural, organic and specialty items.

R. Field Wine Co., currently only at Foodland's Beretania and Kailua markets, will be included in the renovated store, along with a gelato bar featuring Hawaii-made gelato and sorbetto. Foodland Farms also will feature an added emphasis on high-quality perishables and prepared foods.

The only other Foodland Farms is at the Shops at Mauna Lani on the Big Island. It opened in December 2007.

Locally owned Foodland, founded by Maurice J. Sullivan, has 30 stores spanning four islands in the state with 2,500 employees.

The Aina Haina store was the third store to open in Hawaii.