The Save Mart Companies opens flagship Save Mart store in the heart of its hometown, Modesto
Modesto, Calif.—The Save Mart Companies (TSMC) celebrated the opening of its 54,000 square foot, prototype Save Mart store today, following an evening of celebration with local elected officials, community groups and foodies from throughout the Central Valley. During the event, local muralist, Aaron Vickery, painted a live art piece, which will be hung in the store, and guests were entertained with music from Neil Buettner and a performance by the Beyer High School Cheerleaders. Save Mart has made its home in the heart of the Valley since 1952 and takes pride in the creation of this new store that strongly reflects its heritage and celebrates the traditions, products and flavors that make Modesto home.
“Modesto is more than where we are, it’s who we are. We’re family-owned with deep roots and longstanding friendships with local ranchers, farmers and producers who help fulfill our vision every day. It means a lot to us to be part of this neighborhood because this is where we grew up and are now raising our own families,” explained Nicole Pesco, Chief Executive Officer of The Save Mart Companies. “We’re proud of our hometown and the hardworking people who live here.”
Local forms the heart of the store, bringing people home with sights, smells and tastes that affirm the Valley’s everyday life and values—taking care of family on a budget, appreciating agricultural roots and evolving flavors. From the minute they enter the store, our guests will recognize products from local farms and purveyors—like Fiscalini cheese, Ratto Bros. produce, Rosie’s Donuts, Diamond Almonds and Dust Bowl beer.
“Save Mart’s new state-of-the-art supermarket will not only serve the local community by providing fresh wholesome food, but will provide great jobs to local residents,” said Dave White, Executive Director of Opportunity Stanislaus, the leading non-profit organization committed to improving the economic vitality of the region. “The Save Mart Companies plays a unique role in Stanislaus County with its headquarters here and the company’s commitment to sourcing products from local growers and purveyors to their network of 207 stores.”
Signature experiences, farm stand-style produce, loads of freshly-made options, and new ideas in every aisle make this store a destination for shoppers from throughout the region. A highly specialized store team provides services new to the Save Mart stores, including sliced-to-order produce preparation, ground-to-order sausage-making, marinated- and grilled-to-order meats.
Further, cheese and seafood specialists will roam the store providing guests insight on food pairings and how to prepare the season’s fresh fare.
The Tipping Point, a fast-casual restaurant with both indoor and outdoor garden seating, is located inside the store and features tri-tip barbequed to perfection and served five different ways— wet or dry sandwich, torta, taco or salad alongside street corn, churros and other favorite side dishes. The Tipping Point will have a wide selection of local beer and wine on tap. It features Dust Bowl, Blaker Brewery, Heretic, Drakes, 21st Amendment, and Tioga. It also hosts four William Hill and Louis M. Martini wines on tap, along with a variety of bottled wines. Local selections will change seasonally and be announced to followers on the store’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SaveMart-387747525439438/. The Tipping Point food menu and other signature prepared foods from throughout the new store’s hot bar and our service deli will be available for on-demand delivery by DoorDash.
“I’m thrilled to open this new store. We truly had the Modesto family in mind when we developed our food selection, created our prepared foods and picked the services to delight our guests,” commented Jerald Smith, Store Director for Modesto’s Store 1. “We have assembled an excellent team to ensure a great experience for our guests every time they shop—and that experience will evolve as we test new ideas and concepts for the company.”
Another value Save Mart shares with the Central Valley is a strong sense of community. Garden beds located in the midst of the Tipping Point’s outdoor seating will be planted and maintained by the horticulture clubs of the local Kiernan Klover and Empire 4H clubs. Twice annually, they will host a produce sale in front of the store to raise funds for their clubs.
“Kiernan Klovers are excited to be working with Save Mart! We are grateful and thankful to bring a horticulture project to our group and members,” explained Jamie Smith, President of the Kiernan Klovers 4H Club. In addition to their partnership with 4H, the company made a $30,000 donation to the new Awesome Spot accessible playground just down the block from the store and a $20,000 donation to the United Way of Stanislaus County for coordination of homeless services.
Modesto’s new Save Mart store will also serve as an innovation center for the company, that operates 207 stores throughout California and Northern Nevada under the banners of FoodMaxx, Lucky and Save Mart. Based in the Central Valley, TSMC is committed to sourcing a wide variety of local products to communities throughout California and Northern Nevada. In addition to its retail operation, the company also operates Smart Refrigerated Transport and is a partner in Super Store Industries (SSI), which owns and operates a distribution center in Lathrop and the Sunnyside Farms dairy processing plant in Turlock. For more information on the company, please visit: www.TheSaveMartCompanies.com.
