GROCERY New Boardman Rulli's opens

High steel prices have delayed completion of the owners' third store.
By CYNTHIA VINARSKY
VINDICATOR BUSINESS WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Rulli Bros. Austintown has opened its second grocery store, at 5780 South Ave., with plans to complete construction on a third store further south on South Avenue sometime this fall.
The company's newest store opened two weeks ago in the 19,000-square-foot space that had been occupied by a competing family member's supermarket, Rulli Bros. Market, until last summer. That business has relocated to Lockwood Boulevard, also in Boardman.
Michael Rulli, director of operations for the Austintown-based Rulli business, said the new owners made some renovations on the interior of the South Avenue store, including a new ceiling and new shelving, before opening about two weeks ago. The store employs 30.
Ideal size
The store is less than half the size of the Austintown store, but Rulli said demographic studies indicate the smaller store is ideal for the neighborhood.
"We have an older clientele in that region, and many don't like a large super store," he said. "Our logic is to keep that store open as a neighborhood store. Because it's smaller, the overhead is not nearly as great, and we'll be able to offer terrific specials because of the buying power of the two larger stores."
The store will offer the same specials advertised for Rulli Bros. Austintown's other stores, he said.
Construction delay
Meanwhile, Rulli said high steel prices forced the company to postpone completion of the 50,000-square-foot store planned for construction south of Boardman-Poland Road at Maple and South avenues.
With steel prices at record levels, owners had to choose between getting its steel beam shipment early or postponing delivery in exchange for a lower price, he explained. They decided to accept the delay to keep the project cost in line with their budget.
Originally set for completion this summer, the store is now scheduled to open in October or November.
vinarsky@vindy.com