(SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.) - People swarmed the parking lot at the old Food Lion in Lewes, Delaware in anticipation of the new Weis Market. Over the past week, workers converted the Food Lion into a Weis Market. The Lewes Weis Market is one of five new Weis stores in the Delaware, Maryland area which debuted today.
"They can look forward to seeing the same familiar faces they've been seeing for years," said Weis Public Relations Specialist Jennifer Sands.
She said the store is familiar yet full of variety and stacked fresh food. One store manager agreed about the freshness of items.
"It's more hands on. It's not pre-packaged and pre-processed," said Curt Stull, one of four store managers at the Lewes Weis Market.
Both Sands and Stull agreed on how quickly the conversion process went. "Our goal is really continuity and to be additive, so the associates are the same associates who worked with us at Food Lion Friday, and they're here with us today," said Sands.
Customers can expect the same floor layout as in the Food Lion, but store officials say the food variety is much more thorough and diverse.
"So they're walking in, they're looking at the produce department and all the expanded variety and saying, 'Wow. I can't believe this has changed this much in five days'" said Stull.
Customers can expect additional selections of dairy products and specialty milk and icecream. Stull, the store manager, adds that the produce is fresh, and bread and meats are prepared daily.
"They can look forward to our new Certified Angus Beef program, new seafood - the seafood department here in the store really has expanded, and new produce items," added Sands when asked about what customers can expect.
Stull says there are plenty of food savings. Weis Markets offer daily deals and coupons and a special called "Fantastic Friday".
Employees benefit from the newly changed store as well. The store manager says promotions tend to come from within. Weis Markets is also hiring outside people to fill jobs.
Four stores opened in Sussex County and one in Maryland. These stores are among 38 stores opening in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.