Charleston’s County Market will be moving to a new location that boasts a newer design, higher energy efficiency and wireless Internet, as well as a more student-friendly atmosphere.

Gerry Kettler, the director of consumer affairs and the company spokesperson for County Market’s parent company, Niemann Foods, Inc., said the company believed Charleston was ready for the new building.

“It was time for an updated, state-of-the-art facility,” Kettler said.

The new building will boast two stories, the top story featuring a mezzanine equipped with wireless Internet, caffeine and comfortable seating.

Joyce Lawrence, a resident of Charleston and a frequent County Market shopper, said she is excited about the new building.

“I think the new store is great,” Lawrence said, “I’m anxious to see the coffee shop and deli.”

The success of the County Market in Champaign, that also featured the student-friendly updates, was one of the factors in the decision to update Charleston’s County Market, Kettler said.

“The student population is an important part of the consideration for our stores,” Kettler said. “Our goal is to provide the best supermarket shopping experience in the area.”

Kettler said the new seating area that boasts it’s own Caribou Coffee and a new deli, would be the ideal place for students to take a study break and will also be a popular place around finals time.

Irene Coon of Charleston said she is at the current County Market all the time and is looking forward to a larger produce selection.

Coon said she also believes the new coffee shop will be good for customers.

“People (might) want to get together while shopping,” Coon said.

The new County Market store will be more environmentally friendly than its predecessor by using LED light bulbs, more natural light and energy-efficient cases and compressors, Kettler said.

Kettler said the new environmentally friendly measures is not only more cost efficient, but it is also better for business.

Jeff Deaville, union sheet metal worker, of Tolono, said the construction of the new building got off to a slow start.

Deaville, who has been working on the new County Market building for the past month, said the sheet metal workers had a late start to the project because the structure had not been built.

Deaville said the workers are now ahead of schedule, as the opening date of the new store is getting closer.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].