Las Vegas’ new supermarket, Save-a-Lot, opens for business
Las Vegas Councilman Bob Coffin saw the deal for limes — 20 for a buck — at the just-opened Save-a-Lot grocery store and had a thought. Time to make ceviche.
Coffin joined Mayor Carolyn Goodman on Friday morning to welcome Las Vegas' newest supermarket, St. Louis-based discount brand Save-a-Lot, which will compete against the 99 cent store across the street at the Charleston Boulevard-Maryland Parkway intersection near downtown.
Save-a-Lot is opening two other stores in Las Vegas — one at 4440 E. Charleston Blvd. in November and the other at 6100 Vegas Drive in early 2016.
These are the first company-owned Save-a-Lot stores in Nevada, though a franchisee did have a Save-a-Lot in Las Vegas a decade ago, said Chon Tomlin, a Save-a-Lot spokesperson.
Officially, the grocery at 1120 E. Charleston Blvd. next to a Savers thrift store opened Thursday at 8 a.m. before rain and lightning knocked out power four times.
But by Friday morning, with power restored, Goodman pushed a red plastic cart in the produce section to pick up bananas and limes.
She then stepped outside for the opening ceremony and was in a humorous mood, poking fun at the county by telling Save-a-Lot managers that their stores "better be in Las Vegas. If you're going to the county, don't come to me."
After about 20 people chuckled at Goodman's jab, the mayor added, "No, I haven't been drinking — that's Oscar." The mayor has been known to also joke about her husband and previous mayor, Oscar Goodman.
The supermarket is within walking distance of downtown, which lacks supermarkets. Downtown resident John Hilmo said he walked from Fremont Street and Seventh Avenue to Save-a-Lot to buy a bunch of items such as bread, eggs and frozen dinners. A half-dozen plastic bags filled with groceries were packed into his metal vertical shopping cart, which he planned to push home. Grocery bill: $33.70.
"It's better than the 99 cent store," Hilmo said with a smile.
Contact reporter Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5273. Find him on Twitter: @BicycleManSnel
