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Community celebration marks store re-opening
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One of the donations made by officials of the Riverbank Save Mart during the recent ‘Re-Opening’ event included $1000 to Riverbank Christian Food Sharing, on Thursday, Sept. 12. Before a formal ribbon cutting, from left, Save Mart’s Vice President for Store Operations, John Norman, presents the check to Lynda Silva, Christian Food Sharing Director, with Kelly Bizzini, Riverbank Store Director, and Jorge Jauregui, District 7 Manager helping. It was part of the supermarket’s four-day celebration. Ric McGinnis/The News

The Riverbank Save Mart grocery store celebrated its Grand ‘Re-Opening’ last week, beginning with a huge giveaway and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The event started on Thursday, Sept 12, and select festivities continued over the weekend.

A major attraction was the promise of free bags of groceries and a mystery gift card, to the first 100 customers through the door at 8 a.m. on Thursday.

The enthusiasm for the prizes reportedly led the parking lot to become somewhat blocked by shoppers waiting to get in. It was also said that it took only 20 minutes to award all the prizes.

The ribbon cutting took place around 9 that morning, with a number of company officers assisting. Also on hand were Riverbank Mayor Richard D. O’Brien, Council Member Darlene Barber-Martinez, and representatives of the Riverbank Chamber of Commerce and the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District.

Before the ribbon was cut, Save Mart Store Director Kelly Bizzini presented $1000 donation checks to Riverbank Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Constantino Aguilar, one each for Cardozo Middle School and Riverbank High School.

One was also presented to Lynda Silva for Riverbank Christian Food Sharing and one to Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Laird and the non-profit group headed up by Barber-Martinez, Central Valley Community Resources.

Shoppers were able to enjoy the improved and enlarged food sections in the store, and an added floral department, with live flowers and plants as well as cut arrangements.

The Riverbank location is one of 74 Save Mart stores in California. The company also owns Lucky stores, Food Maxx, and Maxx Value stores as well.

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The staff and management celebrated the ‘Re-Opening’ of the Riverbank Save Mart store in the Crossroads Shopping Center with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Sept. 12. Shown, from left, are Donovan Ford, Chief Operating Officer; Lorri Faile, from Riverbank Chamber of Commerce; Riverbank Mayor Richard O’Brien; Daniel Moore, Vice President for Central Operation; Riverbank Council Member Darlene Barber-Martinez; Chris Hooks, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer; Kelly Bizzini, Riverbank Store Director; Jim Perkins, President; Stanislaus Consolidated Fire District Battalion Chief Laird; and John Norman, Vice President, Store Operations. Ric McGinnis/The News