The wait is over for Pulaski residents! The brand new Food City supermarket officially opened its doors on Wednesday, June 19th, marking a significant upgrade in grocery shopping for the community. Located strategically at the corner of Bob White Blvd. and E. Main Street, this 54,200 square foot state-of-the-art market promises to cater to every taste and budget, bringing a fresh and modern shopping experience to Food City Pulaski Va customers.
Groundbreaking for the project began in April 2023, and the transformation from a former manufacturing facility to this impressive, modern supermarket has been eagerly anticipated by locals. The new Food City Pulaski VA location also includes a Gas n’ Go fuel station, offering both gasoline and diesel, adding extra convenience for shoppers.
The grand opening was officially celebrated on Tuesday, June 18th, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pulaski Food City store manager, Andy Wilson, presided over the event, joined by numerous Food City corporate members, community sponsors, and enthusiastic local guests. The evening included a Business After Hours reception hosted by Food City, where attendees enjoyed sampling products from various departments and refreshments. The ceremony also featured a flag raising and prayer of dedication, with Christina Cooper delivering moving renditions of the National Anthem and God Bless America.
“We have proudly served the Pulaski community and surrounding county for the past 24 years,” stated Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer, during the grand opening remarks. “We are thrilled to provide our valued customers with this new, state-of-the-art Food City Pulaski VA store, designed to better meet their needs and enhance their shopping experience.”
Shay Dunnigan, incoming president of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, played a key role in facilitating the ribbon cutting. “This new store represents a significant milestone for our community and has been a much-anticipated development,” Dunnigan commented. “Grocery stores are important community hubs, and this new Food City Pulaski VA offers a fantastic space for residents to connect. K-VA-T Food Stores’ investment in Pulaski demonstrates their commitment to our local economy, bringing valuable employment opportunities and high-quality products. This opening is not just about a new store; it signifies a new and exciting chapter for Pulaski.”
Congressman Morgan Griffith echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Food City’s dedication to the region. “Food City chose to invest fully in our community, building a completely new, modern store for the people of Pulaski, rather than simply renovating the old location. This demonstrates their commitment to Southwest Virginia and the residents here,” Griffith stated. He also highlighted the local connection, noting that the trucks used to transport Food City products are manufactured at the Volvo Trucks North America plant in nearby Dublin.
Andy Wilson, the Food City Pulaski VA Store Manager, brings years of experience and dedication to his role. Having started his career with Food City as a courtesy clerk in Abingdon at the age of 14, Wilson has remained with the company throughout high school and college. “Food City is the only career I’ve ever had because I truly value the people and the company culture. We have assembled an exceptional team here in Pulaski, with 175 dedicated team members. Our focus is to support and serve the community that supports us,” Wilson explained.
The enthusiasm for the new Food City Pulaski VA was palpable among Food City team members at the ribbon-cutting. They eagerly shared their excitement about the store’s new features, including the Hot Bar with daily specials like Italian, Tex-Mex, Asian, Home Cookin’, and Fish Fry, the wide array of In-Store Made products, a convenient Sandwich station, and the addition of a Starbucks Café within the store.
Further enhancing the shopping experience, Food City Pulaski VA boasts an in-store bakery and deli, where everything is freshly made on-site. Customers can also enjoy an Asian wok station, a fresh food bar offering diverse soup, salad, and fruit options, a hickory wood smoker for flavorful meats, fresh sushi prepared daily, and a spacious 38-seat café area for relaxing and enjoying a meal or snack.
The full-service meat and seafood departments at Food City Pulaski VA provide top-quality selections, including Certified Angus Beef and a variety of pre-marinated and seasoned oven-ready products. In-house butchers are readily available to custom cut steaks and fresh meats to order, ensuring customers get exactly what they need.
Beyond the standard grocery offerings, the expanded grocery, frozen food, and produce departments feature a comprehensive selection of gourmet, specialty, and vegan items, catering to diverse dietary needs and preferences within the Food City Pulaski VA community.
The Food City Pulaski VA Floral Boutique is staffed with a dedicated designer seven days a week, offering a wide range of fresh-cut floral arrangements, bouquets, and gift items for any occasion.
For efficient checkout, the store provides six traditional check-out lanes and seven self-checkout stations. Customers also have access to modern shopping conveniences such as curbside pick-up, home delivery, and Doordash services for online orders from Food City Pulaski VA. Additionally, the location includes a Food City Pharmacy, a Gas n’ Go station with diesel fuel, and even sells dry ice.
According to Lisa Phillips, Director of Human Resources for Food City Pulaski VA, the new store has created 75 new positions, significantly boosting local employment. While many positions have been filled, opportunities are still available for Sushi chefs, front-end managers, cashiers, baggers, and experienced meat cutters. Interested individuals can find more information and apply at FoodCityCareers.com.
“Our customers can expect the same friendly faces, exceptional customer service, and top-quality products they have come to associate with Food City, now with an even greater variety, selection, and exciting new services,” Smith concluded. “The key to the success of Food City Pulaski VA is ensuring every customer feels welcome and at home when they shop with us.”
K-VA-T Food Stores, the parent company of Food City, is headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, and operates 155 retail locations across southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama, solidifying its commitment to serving communities like Food City Pulaski VA.
