KANSAS CITY, Missouri — One step inside the old Snyder’s grocery store at Independence and Prospect and it is immediately obvious, this ain’t the old Snyder’s Supermarket. Not by a long shot.

All around, almost every fixture, every cooler and every freezer is new. Not new, however, is their commitment to their employees. The store has earned high praise from the community for opting to keep paying its employees despite the extended closure.

“We’re a little behind schedule right now but we’re hoping for an early April re-opening” Jennelle James, general manager of the family grocery operation, said.

James stepped lightly through the construction dust and showed off shining new meat and produce cases, new fixtures, ceiling, lighting, anything that was negatively impacted by the October 12, 2015, fire has either been thoroughly scoured and cleaned or replaced. James also said the chilled beer and wine section will be expanded with the possibility of carrying some local craft beers.

“We’ve added almost twice as much refrigerated space to allow for a greater selection of both fresh produce and frozen foods,” James said.

While pipefitters and electricians continue to work inside the building, the exterior of the store has changed drastically, as well. The giant plate glass windows that lined the south and west sides of the building have all been replaced with solid walls, interspersed with smaller, double pane, insulated windows to allow for greater energy efficiency and security.

“We’re working with KCP&L on a number of upgrades that will allow us to operate a little greener than our 50-year-old former self,” James said, adding with a laugh that Snyder’s has officially joined the green movement.

The James family is also working with the Northeast Chamber of Commerce and the Independence Avenue CID on a fitting memorial to the firefighters who lost their lives in the October 12th blaze. Plans are in their infancy stage but could involve an interior, as well as an exterior, permanent memorial of Larry Leggio and John Mesh.

“You’re going to see a completely different look inside and out” Jerry James, owner of the iconic neighborhood supermarket, said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do yet but we’re committed to coming back. We’ve been a part of the community for almost 50 years. We’re not quittin’ now.”