Bakersfield Smart & Final Extra! Grand Opening Preview #SFSmarties

I was excited to be one of two bloggers present at the Grand Opening Preview Event for the second Smart & Final to be opened in Bakersfield, California!  This was an “Invitation Only” event that took place on June 26th at 5:00 p.m.  This is the second Smart & Final location in Bakersfield – 4980 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93309.

Food and beverages were served throughout the store at various stations.  There was a meat station, which included Tri-tip, Smoked Chicken, and Ribs from Champs BBQ.  There was a Salad Station, which included Cold tricolor pasta salad using Carla’s tortellini, New Orleans Bill Potato Salad, and Coleslaw.  There was a station with Quesadillas by Cacique, Mini Chimichangas, and Taquitos.  Coffee, soda, and water were served as well.

 Entertainment was provided by Jazz Duo, Mauro & Friends with Patrick Frase.  The group consisted of guitar/vocals and percussion.  The musicians were located at the front of the store, ready to greet attendees as they entered the store.  Presentations were made by Randall Oliver (Director, Corporate Communications for Smart & Final), Mayor Harvey Hall, Michael Paul, Jim Wood, and Steve Schiltz.

The new Smart & Final Extra! store opened on June 27 in Bakersfield’s Stockdale Plaza Shopping Center at 4980 Stockdale Highway.  The new store, which totals 25,000 square feet, is much larger than a typical Smart & Final warehouse store and is designed to offer everything business and household grocery shoppers love about Smart & Final plus a huge selection of fresh produce at the best prices in town.

The larger sales floor allows Smart & Final Extra! stores to carry more than 5,000 additional items in family-friendly sizes.  The assortment includes a greatly expanded selection of products in key categories like produce, fresh meat, frozen foods, dairy, deli and grocery basics like cereal, yogurt, bread and snacks.  There are also sections for baby food, diapers, and health and beauty care.  The stores also continue to carry a large selection of “Club Pack” sized products for stocking-up and a broad assortment of food service, janitorial and other supplies for businesses and organizations.

A private, on-site ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the Preview Event for store associates, suppliers and local Chamber of Commerce and city officials.  During the event, Smart & Final gave back to the community in the form of a $2,500 charitable donation to the Bakersfield Rescue Mission.

The store held it’s Grand Opening on June 27th at 7:00 a.m.  During Grand Opening week, customers will be able to take advantage of special in-store offers.  Customers can enter a drawing anytime between June 27 and July 1 for a chance to win a $500 SmartCash Card.  The winner will be notified by July 6.  Customers will also enjoy special product demonstrations and samplings of Smart & Final’s Ambiance gourmet coffee and other popular corporate brand and national brand items through July 3.

During the event, I had the opportunity to meet some of the Smart & Final employees, as well as another blogger – Silvia from Mama Latina Tips.  It was a great time had by all!  A big thanks goes to Smart & Final and Collective Bias for inviting me to the Grand Opening Preview Event in Bakersfield.

Be sure to stop by your new Smart & Final Extra! of Bakersfield today!

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. and Smart and Final #CBias #SocialFabric  All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.