New owner touts renovated store
Those who have shopped at Save A Lot in Pullman Square in Butler in the past should stop back in to see the improvements made by the new owners.
The grocery store, which opened in January 2019 by the Save A Lot corporate office, was sold two weeks ago to John Kawecki.
He owns the store with his wife, Elaine, and Henry Nemenz. The partners own 18 Save A Lot stores in Ohio and are based in Youngstown.
Kawecki said changes made to the store should enhance each customer's shopping experience.
Kawecki said the meat department has been expanded to include additional cuts of meat, daily fresh grinding of sausage and other meats at the store, homemade sausage and more meat cutters in the department to expand variety.
He also brought in additional vendors to increase variety throughout the store, which offers exclusive and national brands.“You'll see new items in the store now,” Kawecki said.He also enhanced the produce department, adding items and ensuring fruit and vegetables are constantly refilled on the refrigerated shelves.“Our focus is 'fresh and full,'” Kawecki said.Another change at the store is the carousel of plastic grocery bags.Kawecki said instead of bringing their own bags or buying them at the checkout to pack their own groceries, customers now have their items packed into plastic grocery bags by cashiers.
He said the main benefit of the American-owned store is the 30% savings over other grocery stores at checkout.“The money you save a Save A Lot, you could buy a boat,” Kawecki said.The new owner also plans to make the store an important part of Butler.“We'd like to get involved in the community, and we are looking for a long-term relationship with the community and its residents,” Kawecki said.Kawecki said he became interested in buying the store from the corporate office because he has owned a Save A Lot in New Castle for eight years.“We're happy to be in Butler,” he said. “The store could be a value to the residents, and a place where they could come in and get quality products.”Customers shopping at the Pullman Square Save A Lot on Thursday were happy to sing the praises of the store.Phyllis Finney of Butler wheeled a full shopping cart to her car after checking out.“I like the prices, and I can find everything I want,” Finney said.She also appreciates the friendly and helpful staff at the store.“The employees are really nice,” Finney said. “If you can't find something, they'll take you to find it.”
She said the name-brand products are less expensive than any other store in town.Having lived in Butler without a grocery store for so long, Finney is thrilled to have a full-service market nearby.“In the summertime, I walk here,” she said.Finney's companion, Wes Wilder, had his first experience at Save A Lot on Thursday.“It's small, so you don't have to walk and walk and walk to get everything,” Wilder said.Megan Best of Oakland Township stops at Save A Lot to pick up items when she picks up her daughter at school in Butler.“I like the prices, and I can find everything I want,” she said.Best said the store is well-placed in the city.“It's definitely in a convenient spot,” she said.Save A Lot is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
