The Giant grocery store in Wilkens Beltway Plaza just received a multimillion-dollar makeover -- the most expensive remodeling project in its 28-year history.

A Nov. 6 grand reopening ceremony at the store's 4622 Wilkens Ave. location marked the end of a 12-week renovation project that brought improved floors, ceilings, shelving and new digital features.

The event included appearances by Dels. James Malone and Steve DeBoy, Democrats who represent District 12A that includes Arbutus and Catonsville, and state Sen. Edward Kasemeyer, a Democrat who represents District 12 that includes Arbutus and Catonsville.

A small cluster of event attendees stood inside the store during the 20-minute ceremony, while customers seemed unfazed as they completed their early morning shopping.

Thomas Easton, manager for the 55,602-square foot Giant, said the store, which opened in 1981, was "very outdated" before the changes were made.

"It had terrazzo floors, and they were replaced with tile," he said. "It looks much better."

The renovations also included a "scan it" feature that allows customers to track their grocery bill as they shop.

A new digital sign now directs customers to specific aisles based on what items they need.

Easton said the Giant stayed open during construction, which was mostly done in the evenings to keep the disruption to a minimum.

Jeanne Mott, a retired resident of Baltimore Harbor, said the renovation was a minor inconvenience.

She said the changes have brought significant improvements to the store, and have made it "less chaotic."

"It's more organized with the (digital) screen," said Mott, who has been shopping at that particular Giant store for years. "It's more welcoming, too. It was worth it."

Lisa Gregory, a Catonsville resident and therapist in Pikesville, said the store seems "much cleaner and fresher" than it has been in her six years as a patron.

She also said the renovation did not present a problem for her.

"The staff is clearly excited about it, which is nice," she said. "It's a good thing for everyone."

Jamie Miller, public affairs manager for Stop & Shop Supermarket Company in Landover said the overhaul is part of a larger project that began in 2008.

He said executives at Giant's parent company, Ahold USA, decided to remodel 100 of its 180 stores in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and Delaware.

So far, more than 50 stores have been remodeled, he said.

The project involves hundreds of millions of dollars in construction and is Ahold's largest capital investment since the company bought Giant Food Supermarkets in 1998, Miller said.

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