Food World in Pelham to celebrate grand re-opening Wednesday

Published 12:09 pm Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The Food World in Pelham will hold a grand re-opening under new ownership Wednesday, the first of 31 grocery stores in Alabama to open under the umbrella of Southern Family Markets.

Southern Family last month purchased 56 Bruno’s and Food World stores for $45.8 million at auction after Bruno’s Supermarkets LLC filed for bankruptcy. The remaining 25 stores Southern Family purchased are being liquidated.

Southern Family plans to hold grand re-openings at all of its new stores by July 1. The Pelham store, at 516 Pelham Pkwy., will keep its Food World moniker. However, customers can expect a few changes, said Jeff Burkhead, Southern Family senior vice president and general manager.

“Customers will see over 6,000 prices have been permanently lowered and that the Food World discount card is no longer required,” Burkhead said.

Thousands of red circles located on the store’s shelves will inform customers of the “New Food World” pricing structure, Burkhead said. In addition, the Pelham store will kick off a 50 percent off meat sale for one week starting Wednesday.

Southern Family has revamped the store’s meat department, with beef, pork and chicken coming from one supplier to maintain consistent quality. The deli and produce departments will now carry a double-your-money-back-guarantee on perishable items.

Southern Family, headquartered in Birmingham, operates Southern Family Markets, Piggly Wiggly, Bruno’s and Food World stores in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Georgia.