Community Builders of Kansas City recently completed the first phase of its most recent updates to Kansas City Sun Fresh on the Boulevard. CBKC stepped in as owner/operator of the full-service grocery store at 4209 E 50th Terrace in June 2020 following the retirement of the store’s previous owner.
“This is a big commitment for the organization,“ Emmet Pierson, Jr., president and CEO of CBKC said at the time. “It is what needs to be done to keep our community’s money in the community and to give them a full-service grocery store.”
This latest investment was made possible by a $500,000 grant from Urban Action Partners with its allocation guided by recommendations from consultant Sharon Hoffman, a 30-year grocery industry veteran, who performed a detailed analysis of the store operations and prepared a roadmap that touched on all aspects of the business.
With this latest investment, CBKC prioritized modernizing the grocery store’s technology and services as well as improving the flow of the store. CBKC’s wholly owned subsidiary CB Constructs led the improvements which included:
- Move and update the checkout lanes, install new checkout terminals and add two self-checkout stations.
- Redesign the customer service counter and relocate it to the front of the store directly across from the checkout lanes.
- Begin the front interior renovation to accommodate relocation of the store’s fresh produce section, making it the first area visible to customers entering the grocery store.
- Complete construction of the online grocery storage and service area.
- Refresh the flooring in the entry.
There are more renovations ahead including completing the relocation of produce to the front of the store consistent with most newer store layouts; modernizing freezers, lighting and other equipment; operations (i.e., inventory, key staff hiring and training, technology upgrades); as well as customer attraction and retention initiatives.
CBKC is appreciative of this UAP grant as well as of earlier funding received – $500,000 CDBG grant from the city of Kansas City, Missouri, that brought online grocery to the community, and $500,000 grant from Urban Action Partners that helped fund replacement of some HVAC equipment and the consultant study.