Safeway Inc. is well under way on a $2 million renovation at its supermarket on Spokanes South Hill, and the Pleasanton, Calif.-based chain plans to take on similar remodels at other stores here.


Craig Johnson, the Spokane-based district manager for Safeway, says work started last month on a complete interior remodel and exterior upgrade at the 54,000-square-foot store, located at 2509 E. 29th in the Lincoln Heights shopping district.


That work is scheduled to be completed by August, Johnson says. Citadel Construction Inc., of Spokane, is the contractor on the project, and Bernardo-Wills Architects PC, of Spokane, designed it.


Safeway, which operates six supermarkets in the Spokane area and two in Coeur dAlene, plans to upgrade many of its stores here in the next two years. Renovation of a Coeur dAlene Safeway, at 121 W. Neider, is slated to start later this year. Beyond that, Johnson says hes unsure which stores will be renovated next.


At the Lincoln Heights Safeway, the inside of the building is undergoing a complete makeover with new flooring, a new ceiling, and a new color scheme throughout the supermarket. Also, the stores deli counter is being renovated, as are the pharmacy, seafood, produce, and floral areas. A Starbucks Corp. coffee counter also has been installed near the stores west entrance, Johnson says.


Were really hanging our hat on the changes to the departments on the periphery of the store, he says.


Outside, the store will be painted, and the west entry is being remodeled.


Johnson says the improvements are similar to those that Safeway is implementing at its supermarkets companywide. The grocery chain refers to the new look as a lifestyle design, he says.