Updated: Arbutus Getting Save-A-Lot

11:30 p.m. Update: St. Louis, Mo.-based Save-A-Lot confirmed that the supermarket chain is opening a store formerly occupied by the Superfresh on East Drive, and that the store is expected to open by the end of February, 2012.

Save-A-Lot is a discount supermarket offering prices about 40 percent below competitors, with about 80 percent of its products sold under a store brand.

Company spokesperson Chon Tomlin described the chain as a "limited assortment" supermarket. "Instead of 12 different kinds of ketchup, you might find seven," she said.

About 80 percent of the products it sells are a company brand, according to Tomlin.

The new store will have fresh produce, but no service departments. Pre-wrapped meats will be available, but the store will not have a butcher shop, seafood department, or bakery, Tomlin said.

At almost 20,000 square feet, the Arbutus store will be among the largest in the Save-A-Lot chain. According to Tomlin, the average Save-A-Lot store is about one-quarter the size of the Arbutus location.

The store will undergo renovation prior to its opening in order to fit the Save-A-Lot model, and will hire 20-25 employees. While store managers are often experienced employees that are transferred from other locations, other personnel are hired locally, she said.

Tomlin encouraged those interested in working at the Arbutus Save-A-Lot to apply through the company's web site.

5:30 a.m. Oct 3: Sources tell Arbutus Patch that a new supermarket has agreed to assume the location of the former Superfresh on East Drive in Arbutus.

According to several people--but not yet confirmed by the company--the discount chain Save-A-Lot will have a store operational by February of next year.

Check back with Arbutus Patch as this story is updated.