BY HANNAH SHARPE

Staff Writer

After 160 days of construction, the Food Lion shopping center in Whispering Pines is ready to open its doors.

The 35,000-square-foot grocery store on N.C. 22 was scheduled to open at 7:45 a.m. today, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

While shoppers peruse the store's new aisles, a day full of grand opening events is going in store's parking lot.

Store manager Troy Morris says the grand opening is a great way to welcome the community to the new store.

"We just want to make it a memorable grand opening," Morris said. "This [store] will be the biggest retailer in Whispering Pines. We want it to be special for [the community]."

Activities include a performance by the Union Pines marching band and a golf cart give-away from Food Lion, along with contests and vendors on site.

The Moore County Sheriff's Department is checking child car seats, and the Whispering Pines Police Department is fingerprinting children for the National Child Identification Program.

The Whispering Pines Fire Department is also there to give children firetruck tours.

Whispering Pines Village Manager Steve DeBolt says the store's opening will give the area's residents a much-needed convenience.

"It's going to be a great addition to the community, and all the residents are excited about it coming in," DeBolt says. "We think we have a lot to offer here in Whispering Pines. The only thing that we could add was convenient shopping. Now we have that as well, so we're a full-service community now."

DeBolt and Mayor Bob Zschoche toured the new store Friday as employees worked to stock shelves in preparation for the grand opening.

"It's a lovely store," Zschoche said. "It's the nicest Food Lion around, and everybody's going to be pleased."

The store's regular hours will be Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Contact Hannah Sharpe by e-mail at hannah@thepilot.com.