Stauffers firing first shot in war of supermarkets

Construction is under way at Stauffers of Kissel Hill on Rohrerstown road.

The current 32,000 square-foot facility, which houses both a garden center and supermarket will be expanded to a 78,000 square-foot one, according to Paul Stauffer, Director of Marketing and Branding, and company executive.

"We'll bring the complete shopping atmosphere to the shoppers in Rohrerstown," he said. The expanded facility will also include a bistro, eat-in area, banking center, and nursery.

Construction began in September 2007 with the expanded garden center and nursery expected to be complete in April and construction of the new supermarket is expected to be completed by September of this year.

The price tag for the entire project is $18 million.

"When we're finished, it will be the best supermarket in the area," boasts Stauffer. "It will be a super garden center."

However, the Giant Supermarket on Columbia Avenue across from School Lane Hills has its own expansion plan and intends to compete for the best supermarket title.

More on this to follow.