Canadian Tire has undergone a facelift and is looking to show off its smoother lines starting Thursday with a grand re-opening featuring four days of savings.

Customers may have already noticed the new brickwork surrounding the front entrance and a change in colour to some walls.

Inside, a heritage banner reminds shoppers of Canadian Tire’s past, and a flag for JumpStart, the chain’s charity program, sways in the wind of opening and closing doors.

General Manager Michael Pascuzzo said the renovations came as an update to repairs done in 2006. The main changes took place in the kitchen and housewares section. The store not only expanded its shelves to create more space, it also improved the lighting to better present the products on display.

“It gives the department more of a boutique-style look,” Pascuzzo said.

He added the store will soon feature eight new price scanners located near information stations. Customers can look up the price of a product by using touch screen computers.

“They take their item, scan it and the price comes up,” he said.

Construction started in mid-June and the new counters were in place by Sept. 1. Now mops and brooms, carpets, vacuums and pet supplies are all organized in their own isles. The design’s name is called new living strategy.

Pascuzzo said Friday’s first 50 customers receive a $10 gift card plus the chance to win a photograph signed by hockey player Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Black Hawks.

“And on Sunday the first 50 customers will receive a $10 gift card plus the chance to win a $250 gift card,” he said.

With Target opening up next door, Pascuzzo said he is a little worried about the competition but also welcomes it. The new store is currently under construction at St. Albert Centre.

“Competition is good. It keeps us on our toes,” he said.

“It will bring a few more people back. Right now the mall doesn’t have parking so people are staying at Walmart and Home Depot.”

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