Price Cutter expands Republic store, adds Starbucks

Plans to change the 60,000-square-foot store into a Price Cutter Plus call for an interior remodel and merchandise reset, all to be finished by April 1. The store, 1013 U.S. Highway 60 East, will remain open during renovations.

Company officials would not disclose a cost for the project.

New features will include service meat and seafood counters – including sushi prepared daily – a natural/organics department and a wine and spirits department.

Expansion are also planned for the deli, grocery area and health/beauty department.

Also debuting inside the store will be a Starbucks café, with the chain’s full menu and table seating for 20. Starbucks will be open 6 a.m.–9 p.m. daily.

Wireless Internet will be available to customers for free.

The company anticipates adding 10 employees to the store’s 45-member staff. Applications are being accepted for positions in the store and at Starbucks.

This will be RPCS’ eighth Price Cutter Plus; three are in Springfield, and one each is in Nixa, Ozark, Joplin and Waynesville.

The company points to the rapid population and housing growth in Republic as its reason for the expansion, according to spokeswoman Jill Slack.

“Republic was the next logical step because of the demand and the size of the town and how much it’s growing,” Slack said.

The city has 20 new residential subdivisions planned for the next decade, which would, when completed, bring its capacity to more than 20,000 residents. Its population rose 60 percent between 1990 and 2005.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s Jan. 30 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.