View Finder: Residents Pack Cranberry Shop 'n Save for Store Opening

Residents eager to explore the new on Freedom Road packed the grocery store for its grand opening on Thursday.

Accompanied by family members and Cranberry Township officials, store owners Jim and Jeff Sorbara had a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Shoppers were then invited to the store’s full-service café located on the second floor of the building.

Jeff Sorbara, who co-owns the store with his father, said Thursday’s opening capped off a nearly two-year process.

“We were delayed by some bad weather at the beginning of the year,” he said of the store’s construction.

The Sorbaras also own Shop ‘n Save stores in Bethel Park, Kennedy Township, Heidelberg, Wilkins Township and South Fayette. Jeff Sorbara said the family chose Cranberry for their latest store because of the area’s growing population.

“It’s one of the few areas that have actually increased in population,” he said. “Most of our stores are located in neighborhoods and we felt this spot was the right mix for us.”

While Jeff Sorbara said the family’s other stores feature cafes and a mezzanine level, this is their first store to operate a full-scale restaurant. The second floor also features a community room that Sorbara hopes businesses across the community will utilize as a meeting space.

The store’s opening also was met by excitement from residents.

Tom Cross, owner of the r -- which is in the same shopping complex as the grocery store -- said he has been looking forward to Shop ‘n Save opening since he opened his own restaurant three years ago. His hope is the store will bring more business to the diner.

“It’s going to be great to see the traffic come in from the store,” he said.

Eating with her mother and children in the restaurant, Cranberry resident Kim Beck said she came to the store for the opening day deals.

“It’s kid friendly,” she said of the store. “We love the restaurant upstairs.”

Rosemary Robinson, who got a flower handed to her by a Shop ‘n Save employee as she entered the building, said she traveled from Wexford to attend the opening. She also plans to shop at the store in the future.

“We love Shop ‘n Save,” she said. “We always had to go out to Zelienople to shop at that one, so we’re happy to have it here.”

The store, which opens daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, is expected to bring 200 jobs to the Cranberry area.