Craig — Kmart in Craig is in the midst of a transformation to increase customer convenience. The local department store is being converted into a popular “Big Kmart” format.

According to Craig Kmart Manager Jake Zakrzewski, the Big Kmart format will be more customer-friendly.

“We are relocating departments, expanding the food and grocery department and adding new fixtures,” Zakrzewski said. The new food and grocery department will have freezers and coolers with more convenience foods.

Zakrzewski hopes the new food department will bring customers to the store more often.

The $300,000 renovation is expected to be complete by mid-October with a re-grand opening celebration slated for Oct. 24. According to Zakrzewski, the renovation is not interfering with shoppers.

“There is a minimal inconvenience right now and very little disorganization,” he said.

The conversion of the traditional Kmart will bring the nationwide total of refurbished stores to 1,809. Kmart intends to enter 2000 with 90 percent of stores with the Big Kmart designation.

“This Kmart location will be taking steps to become a more convenient store our customers will visit with greater frequency and with better results,” said Lee Viliborghi, vice president of the central region for Kmart stores. “We appreciate their patience while we bring them their exciting new Big Kmart.”