Date: Fri 13-Mar-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Big-Y-opening-D'Amour

Full Text:

Big Y Tells Just How Big Its Big Opening Was

(with cut)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Refrigerators all over town were kept bare in anticipation of the February 26

opening of the Big Y on Queen Street.

When the giant supermarket finally opened its doors at 7 am that morning the

hungry crowds filed in by the thousands. Between Thursday and Sunday, some

14,000 shoppers walked through the Big Y doors curious to see what was inside

and to compare prices.

"It's fun when you're the new guy," said Claire D'Amour, the Big Y Foods,

Inc's, vice president for corporate relations.

The opening of the Big Y was an unusual event for Newtown residents. Suddenly,

it was the "in" thing to be seen at the Big Y. Not known for its nightlife,

Newtown suddenly had a place to go Saturday night. The glowing lights beckoned

shoppers.

While the parking lot at the Big Y was packed, there were plenty of spots

available across the street at the Grand Union. But the decrease in business

came as no surprise to officials at the longstanding Newtown supermarket. They

knew the big rush to the Big Y would come, but expect many of their customers

to return when and if the Big Y novelty wears off.

The 54,000-square-foot Big Y of Newtown is the 44th store of its kind to open

in the Connecticut and western Massachusetts area and the second in Fairfield

County. There are currently 300 people employed at the Big Y of Newtown.

According to Ms D'Amour, the Big Y sold 400 pizzas in its opening weekend (not

to mention individual slices), 350 foccacia breads, 300 pounds of cod, 400

fish and chip dinners, 5,000 bagels, 600 batches of hamburger meat, 4,500 X a

dozen eggs, 2,100 gallons of milk, 4,000 cups of coffee and 30,000 bananas.

The supermarket also went through 150 register tapes.

During its first four days of business, the Big Y washed the floor 32 times

and used seven coats of wax nightly.