Construction has begun at the Bremerton Fred Meyer store on a $10-million remodeling project, which when completed in early November will bring the store to a total of 202,000 square feet. The remodel will update the look of the Highway 303 location that has seen little change since it first opened in 1990.

RAS Builders of Issaquah will install new fixtures throughout the store, and change indoor signs from black, white, and red to blonde wood and slate. The home décor department was the first to get the new look in a facelift last fall. The objective is to give the store a more open and upscale look similar to changes recently done at the store in Puyallup.

That same look will be brought into the grocery department, where a Seattle’s Best Coffee bar, enclosed eating area and a nutrition center stocked with vitamins, supplements and organic foods similar to what is in the Port Orchard store will all be added.

The balance of the 202,000 square foot expansion will come from outside as contractors dig up an existing concrete slab and replace it with 13,000 more square feet of sales space for the garden shop. Meanwhile, the home electronics department will expand into the space previously occupied by Vista Optical.
When completed, the store expects to add to its current staff of more than 200.