The transformation of the former JCPenney location in Austintown continues, and CR Electric is playing a key role in the changes.
A Grocery Outlet store is moving in, and for these local electricians, it’s been quite an overhaul.
“When we walked in, the building was empty,” said Tom McCleery, project manager for CR Electric. “This is essentially a reset, full lighting install, conduit runs, power distribution, everything.”
A team of five electricians has been on-site since early May, working under a tight timeline with a projected opening date in early October.
“Grocery stores aren’t typical for us, but all the systems involved, like refrigeration power, lighting and distribution, are well within our wheelhouse,” McCleery said.
Conduit, coordination and coolers
In the beginning stages, electricians were focused on rough-in work, with much of the activity overhead. All of the conduit for the store’s LED lighting needed to be installed ahead of the ceiling being painted white.
“Since there will be aisles below, we’re being extra precise in placement. You don’t want light casting shadows over shelving,” said George Vestal, foreman for CR Electric.
The center and back wall of the store are designated for refrigeration – and will house coolers and freezers.
Wiring will go in for a range of refrigeration components, including temperature sensors, defrost systems and solenoid valves. Those are small but critical devices that control refrigerant flow based on temperature signals.
“Refrigeration brings some unique challenges, especially in coordinating with the contractors who install and service those systems,” said McCleery. “But we’ve wired for equipment like this on other jobs, so we know what it takes.”
Vestal agreed that while the equipment itself is different from standard commercial jobs, the process is familiar.
“There’s a lot of moving parts with refrigeration, but it’s all manageable,” he said. “We’ve just been getting everything up and installed so the space can be painted. It’s been pretty smooth.”
Powering toward the finish line
At the center of the electrical upgrade is a new main distribution panel (MDP).
“We had to take out the old transformer and make room for the new setup,” Vestal said. “That includes a new housekeeping pad and new connections to the panel that will distribute power across the entire store.”
Challenges like floor work and overlapping schedules with other trades are part of the job, but the team is staying ahead of it.
“We have to prep everything in advance to stay on track for when the refrigeration equipment gets here,” he said.
Electricians are confident their work will be completed by the deadline. This project is proof that turning old retail space into a fully functional grocery store requires experience, good planning and a team wired for success.
CR Electric is a member contractor of NECA-IBEW Electricians, an association consisting of IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown, IBEW Local 573 in Warren and signatory electrical contractors throughout the Mahoning Valley.