STEWARTSTOWN, Pa. -- Rutter's Farm Stores opened its newest store, in Stewartstown, Pa., on Christmas Eve. The 24-hour storethe convenience chain's biggest and most environmentally friendly store evercreated 40 jobs. Rutter's plans to continue to operate its existing store in Stewartstown.
"Anyone who passed the Pennsylvania Avenue site in recent days and weeks knows that it was as busy as Santa's workshop," said Scott Hartman, president and CEO of Rutter's Farm Stores. "We worked extra hard to open in time for the holidays and look forward to this store being the gift [image-nocss] that keeps on giving for the Stewartstown community."
The 5,750-square-foot store is the first Rutter's to make use of skylights that will reduce the need for artificial lighting. The 19 skylights complement a white roof, which will keep the building cooler while reducing energy demand.
In a couple of other Rutter's firsts, the store has energy-saving triple-glazed windows and all-LED exterior lights. Rutter's recently became the first convenience store chain to join 32 other retail organizations in the U.S. Department of Energy's Retailer Energy Alliance (click here for details), whose mission is to promote the energy-efficient design and operation of retail locations.
The store has 20 fueling positions (including four that offer diesel) in front and two dedicated diesel islands in back, as well as an all-glass, two-bay automatic car wash.
The 24-hour store features Rutter's latest foodservice offerings, including a recently introduced dinner menu and kids meal; custom stir fry and fajitas; and fresh-baked sub and ciabatta rolls. A premium-coffee island, touchscreen ordering, seating for 15, public restrooms and a surcharge-free M&T Bank ATM are among the other amenities.
The store also features Rutter's award-winning design, including open ceilings, floor and wall tiles, and restrooms with floating ceilings, music and other upscale accents.
In other company news, Rutter's has announced charitable donations totaling $204,000 to 30 organizations. These donationsin addition to previously announced contributions totaling $56,500 to 11 food pantriesbring Rutter's total 2009 giving to $260,000.
The recipients include: American Red Cross, York Chapter; Bobcat Foundation; Catholic Harvest Food Pantry, York; Children's Home of York; Crispus Attucks Association; Dover YMCA; Hoffman Homes for Children; International Mesothelioma Program; Jewish Community Center Pre-School; Jewish Family Services; Junior Achievement of South Central Pa.; Mont Alto Volunteer Fire Department; New Life for Girls; Newspapers in Education; Performing Arts for Children of York; Salvation Army of York; Stewartstown Little League; United Way of Cumberland County Pre-K; United Way of York County; Waynesboro Area Business & Community Foundation in Franklin County; York Cancer Center Patient Help Fund; York County Chamber of Commerce; York County Food Bank; York County Library System; York County Literacy Council; York Health Foundation; York Hospital VNA Home Health & Hospice; YWCA of Hanover Pre-K; YWCA of York Pre-K; and YMCA of York Pre-K.
Including 2009, Rutter's charitable giving has topped $2 million over the past seven years. Almost all of the contributions benefit children's programs in the communities where the York, Pa.-based Rutter's companies operate.
"It's never easy for nonprofit organizations to raise the money they need to provide important community services, but it's especially difficult in this economy," said Hartman. "At Rutter's, we feel it's more important than ever do our part to ensure that these organizations can continue their important work."
Todd Rutter, president of Rutter's Dairy, added: "We'd be remiss if we didn't thank our valued customers, employees and suppliers for all that they do to make the Rutter's companies successful, which allows us to give back to our communities. It's fun and really rewarding to play Santa to these worthwhile organizations."
Family-owned and third generation-managed, the Rutter's companies comprise Rutter's Farm Stores, Rutter's Dairy and M&G Realty, a real-estate development company. Rutter's Farm Stores operates 55 convenience stores in York, Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania.
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