Big crowd greets Ingles' largest Upstate market

POWDERSVILLE  — Wednesday's grand opening of the new Ingles store in Powdersville easily lived up to its billing.

More than 200 customers had arrived at the store on Anderson Road (State 81) by 8 a.m., and the elbow-to-elbow shopping remained the norm at mid-day.

That surprised Ingles executives that were already optimistic about a new store in a proven location.

"We opened at 6, and there was already a line waiting here at 5:45," said Melissa Leavell, advertising director for the Asheville-based regional chain that operates 32 stores in the Upstate. "We knew we had a good customer base here in Powdersville, but the size of the crowd has been surprising."

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The newest Ingles store is also the largest in the Upstate, and its 65,000 square feet include more upscale touches than most. 

"It's our largest format, and it features the megastore layout," Leavell said, referring to a design that features the produce in the middle of the store, flanked by the deli/hometown cafe, and Starbucks as well as the traditional grocery aisles. Food sample stations greet customers near the deli area. 

The interior is brightened by skylights, and was built adjacent to the old Ingle's. Crews on Wednesday began to dismantle the facade of the older side of the shopping complex, which is expected to be leased to a hardware store and a dental practice.

"We were able to remodel the three stores in Anderson because they weren't the older format, and there was enough room to expand those," Leavell said. "This store was one of the older ones, and did not have the space we needed. But it has been a great location, so we decided to build the new one right here.

"It's a high-traffic area, and it's an easy side of town to get to for many of our customers," Leavell said of the location, within a quarter-mile of Powdersville's main intersection.

Ingles CFO Ron Freeman said the expansion in Powdersville, the fastest-growing area of Anderson County, "is a good investment for Ingles, and one that our loyal customers there will appreciate."

"We will have a number of specials at the new store throughout the weekend and expect big crowds," Freeman said.

Grand-opening specials will vary daily and will continue for four weeks, Leavell said.

The store employs a staff of 300 — double the size of the previous staff. "And we're still hiring," Leavell said.

Follow Abe Hardesy on Twitter @abe_hardesty or email abe.hardesty@independentmailmail.com