The closed Spencerport Jubilee grocery market will reopen as an IGA in May, according to new owner Mike Ward. Empty since last fall, the reopening of the Spencerport grocery store will be much appreciated by residents who have had to travel to neighboring communities to shop and by local politicians and nearby businesses who didn’t want to see the anchor store stay empty for long.

The Spencerport IGA will be the sixth in a chain of stores owned by the Albion native and his family. Ward also operates grocery stores in Holley, Seneca Falls, North Chili, Caledonia and Midtown Plaza, Rochester. With its central location, the Spencerport store will become the base for Ward’s corporate offices.

Right now, Ward is in the process of testing all the store’s equipment, making sure the coolers and freezers function correctly; checking the heating, electrical and plumbing; and changing the security and phone systems. Once that is complete, his crews will begin making changes to the store lay-out. The shopping pattern will be re-arranged, Ward said, with an eye to making the lay-out simpler. As in his other stores, Ward’s emphasis will be on high-quality produce, bakery and meat departments with larger selections than existed in the former Jubilee.

Although some type of grand opening will likely be held, Ward said he prefers a more low-key approach. "Our philosophy is to offer high quality products and service, increase the variety of items and run good sales. We like to show the customers what we can do for them."

Ward hasn’t selected a store manager for Spencerport yet – he said he doesn’t feel rushed to fill that post since both he and his brother, Scott, will be based at the store. Ward also wasn’t sure when he would start hiring workers for the store.

One thing is certain, Ward intends to run a community-oriented business, as he does in his other locations. "We think it’s really important to be involved in the community and we’ll be looking for ways to do that here."

Ward credits the property owner, Goldstein Management, and Spencerport Mayor Ted Walker for participating in making the store opening a reality.

"There appears to be a strong interest in having a grocery store here," Ward said. "We think customers will be pleased with what they see when we open the doors."