Dayton, Tennessee is buzzing with anticipation as Food City officially started construction on its brand-new supermarket. Located at a prime spot near the intersection of U.S. 27 and State Highway 60, this nearly $16 million investment signals a significant upgrade for grocery shopping in the Food City Dayton Tn. The groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday marked the beginning of a project that promises to enhance the local retail landscape and bring a state-of-the-art grocery experience to the community.
Artist's rendering of the new Food City supermarket in Dayton, Tennessee, displayed at the groundbreaking ceremony.
According to Steven C. Smith, Food City’s Chief Executive Officer, the new 55,000-square-foot store is slated to open in Spring 2025. This modern supermarket will replace an existing, smaller Bi-Lo store that Food City acquired almost ten years prior. Speaking at the groundbreaking on the greenfield site, Smith explained the necessity for this new development. “The parking lot is too small,” he noted about the current location, emphasizing the limitations for growth and the impending lease expiration. This expansion demonstrates Food City’s commitment to providing a better shopping environment and meeting the evolving needs of Dayton TN food city shoppers.
The new supermarket isn’t just about a bigger space; it’s about creating opportunities. Smith highlighted that the larger store will generate an estimated 50 to 60 new jobs, boosting Food City’s Dayton workforce to nearly 200 employees. This job creation is a welcome economic injection into the food city Dayton TN area.
Rhea County Mayor Jim Vincent underscored the positive economic impact of the new Food City. He mentioned a 10-year property tax agreement that supports the development, while ensuring the education portion of taxes is still paid. Mayor Vincent anticipates a substantial increase in sales tax revenue from the significantly larger supermarket, further benefiting Rhea County. He also pointed out a key feature for local consumers: fuel pumps. Currently, Rhea County Food City customers utilize fuel credits but often travel to neighboring counties like Hamilton or Bradley to purchase gas. The new store will retain these fuel purchases within Rhea County, keeping local money circulating within the food city Dayton TN economy. “This store is the talk of Rhea County,” the Mayor stated, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm.
April Curtis, President of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, echoed this sentiment at the groundbreaking, emphasizing the supermarket’s role in providing “essential goods and services and employment.” She lauded the investment as “commendable” and expressed anticipation for the “positive impact it will have” on food city Dayton TN.
Food City is known for its comprehensive offerings, and the new Dayton location will be no exception. Customers can look forward to an in-store bakery and deli complete with a hot food bar, alongside a spacious cafe seating area featuring a Starbucks. For health-conscious shoppers, a fresh food bar with diverse soup, salad, and fruit options will be available. Adding to the culinary appeal, the store will include a hickory wood smoker, pizza oven, and fresh sushi. Meat and seafood departments will be full-service, boasting in-house butchers ready to hand-cut steaks and prepare fresh meat to order, ensuring top quality for food city Dayton TN consumers.
Efficient checkout options are also a priority, with six traditional lanes and ten self-checkout stations planned. For added convenience, curbside pick-up will cater to online shoppers. A Food City Pharmacy, complete with a drive-through, will further enhance the services offered at this new location in food city Dayton TN.
Modern and sustainable design is integrated into the new supermarket. Energy-saving technologies will be implemented throughout the store, including efficient glass cooler doors, LED parking lot lights and 100% LED interior lighting, motion sensors, and advanced refrigeration systems. This focus on energy efficiency aligns with Food City’s commitment to responsible operations and provides a modern shopping environment in food city Dayton TN.
Mayor Vincent reiterated the importance of this development for the community’s overall well-being. He noted that economic developers prioritize jobs and wages, housing, and quality of life, and this new Food City addresses both employment and quality of life aspects for residents of food city Dayton TN.
Food City’s parent company, K-VA-T Food Stores, headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, operates 153 retail outlets across East Tennessee, North Georgia, North Alabama, Southeast Kentucky, and Southwest Virginia. The Dayton groundbreaking is part of a broader expansion strategy. CEO Smith mentioned upcoming groundbreakings for two Huntsville, Alabama stores this week, with plans for six supermarkets in that market. This regional growth, along with investments like the new food city Dayton TN location, demonstrates Food City’s strong position and continued expansion in the competitive grocery sector. Last summer, Food City also commenced construction on new supermarkets in nearby Bradley and Polk counties, further solidifying its presence in the region. These investments collectively represent over $30 million, including an addition to an existing store in Cleveland, Tennessee, highlighting Food City’s significant commitment to East Tennessee and surrounding areas.
The new Food City in Dayton, TN is poised to become a cornerstone of the community, offering an enhanced shopping experience, creating jobs, and contributing to the local economy. Residents of food city Dayton TN can eagerly anticipate the Spring 2025 opening of this state-of-the-art supermarket.
