The new Pana Save-A-Lot just south of the downtown area, officially opened its doors on Wednesday morning, to a huge number of customers for its first day in business.

The former Hometown Food Center was converted to a Save-A-Lot by owners Tim and Jennifer Christer (chreye-stur), who closed the grocery store April 22 and spent a month doing an extensive renovation to the interior of the store to change the building from a conventional grocery store, to the Save-A-Lot concept.

Tim told Regional Radio News at the Wednesday ribbon cutting, that the extensive remodeling made a huge difference in the look of the store.

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Pana economic development director Jim Deere said the addition of the new Pana Save-A-Lot is important for the town.

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And Deere added the Save-A-Lot concept is growing around the country.

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The new Pana Save-A-Lot is open 8 to 8 7 days a week.