Tacoma-based Market Place supermarket chain has opened a store in the K-Mart Plaza on Mile Hill Drive in Port Orchard.

The supermarket opened at the site of the former Thriftway, which closed in December. Owner Greg Saar described the store as a price-oriented supermarket.

Saar said he had hoped to have the store open in February, but that lease negotiations and financing arrangements took longer than expected.

He added he spent thousands of dollars renovating the 42,000-square-foot store at which he expects to employ 70 full and part-time people.

Market Place is the only South Kitsap supermarket that is not affiliated with a national chain. South Kitsap also supports a Safeway, a Fred Meyer, a QFC and two Albertsons.