SAN DIEGO (KGTV)--After a long wait, residents of Allied Gardens are finally getting a new neighborhood grocery store.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday morning at the store location on Waring Road and Zion.
The grocery store replaces the former Albertson's store that has been boarded up for about two years.
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Neighbors told 10News they're thrilled about the new store and the new owners, Chris and Gay Holbrook, said they're just as excited.
“It is a tight-knit community and they’ve been looking forward to something,” Chris said.
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The new store will create more than 25 jobs.
“We hope to be the centerstone of the community,” Chris said.
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Residents are invited to attend the community grand opening event to be held Saturday, Aug. 5 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for what the Holbrooks called a day of savings, family-friendly fun and prizes:
- First 100 customers in line receive a 25 percent off coupon
- Customers can enter to win the grand prize of $500 in Grocery Outlet gift cards. The winner will be announced at the end of the day at the store
- First 500 customers will receive an eco-friendly reusable bag
Hot dogs and drinks will also be sold from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to benefit the Grantville-Allied Gardens Kiwanis.
Today's ribbon-cutting event included a $1,000 donation of Grocery Outlet gift cards to the San Diego Food Bank.