calling the changes the biggest and best in the supermarket's history.

"During the 23 years MarketPlace has operated the Heron Bay store, there have been three refurbishments and improvements, or store re-fits, as they are called in the industry. This is by far the most extensive,'' MarketPlace executive vice president Allan Doughty said.

In 1973, construction began on what was then to be Bermuda's fourth Piggly Wiggly store. Six years later, the late Alvin Ferreira, owner of the Modern Mart, purchased all four Piggly Wiggly stores.

"MarketPlace is spearheading the supermarket of the future in Bermuda by upgrading, reconfiguring, remodelling and refurbishing,'' MarketPlace president and CEO John Carr said.

Owners, staff and customers will mark the conclusion of the Heron Bay MarketPlace changes with a grand opening underway at 10 a.m. this morning.

Owners have made a significant investment in the store, to create what MarketPlace training officer Albertha Waite called the "store for the next century.'' The changes will allow the supermarket to "serve customers better and provide an even more pleasant shopping experience,'' MarketPlace general manager Gary Shuman said.

"Food shopping may not be everyone's idea of a good time. But the experience can be made more pleasant.

"A lot of that has to do with the store itself. At the MarketPlace stores, and especially at Heron Bay, we understand that, and have created a whole new shopping experience,'' he said.

Among the changes for the 14,000 square foot store, new decor and equipment, a new 73-foot produce department, 36 feet of new, five tier meat displays, as well as a new enlarged fresh pasta and cheese department.

The refit also includes wider aisles, new shopping carts and front of store weighing scales. There is also new flooring throughout the store.

The produce department includes new display tables, market awnings and umbrellas and new lighting.