ITHACA, N.Y. — After being revamped, Aldi in Ithaca officially reopened Thursday with a bigger, brighter interior and more products.

The Ithaca store was one of more than 1,300 Aldi grocery stores being upgraded across the country. Construction has been ongoing for more than a month. But Thursday, the store reopened with a ribbon cutting and giveaways. The store now has more of a focus on fresh products, including more produce, dairy and bakery items.

Store hours are now a bit longer, too. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Though the store looks about the same on the outside, the interior got a big upgrade. It was redesigned to showcase fresh foods when customers walk in the door, district manager Tirsa Umanzor said. Produce is now at the entrance in the first aisle, followed by bread and dairy products.

"We're really focusing on fresh now," Umanzor said.

It is noticeably brighter inside the store. The ceiling was opened up a bit and LED lights were installed. Graphics and signage have also been updated throughout the store, including category signs that make it easier to identify where items are.

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With several other grocery stores in town, Umanzor said Aldi focuses on value.

"What value is, good price and then not compromising quality and I think that's what separates us most from the competitors," Umanzor said.

The Ithaca and Cortland stores were among the first to get a new layout and expansion. The Ithaca store at 505 Third St. added about 2,700 square feet on the building's south side facing Route 13. The expansion allowed for an extra aisle and more fresh food offerings.

The store is giving away eco-friendly bags Thursday and customers can also enter the sweepstake to win free produce for a year.

Here are a few photos of the remodeled store. Photos by Kelsey O'Connor/Ithaca Voice.