Nov. 9—When Murrysville shoppers head into the new Market District on Old William Penn Highway this morning, store officials are hoping to offer not just an elevated culinary experience, but more chances to support local business.

"We're changing the banner for the store, and that brings a whole host of changes that will make it different from Giant Eagle," Market District Senior Director Paul Abbott said.

The most obvious change is in the beverage department. The store now includes not only beer and wine sales, but an in-store Starbucks, a staple at all six Pittsburgh-area Market Districts.

An expanded selection of chef-inspired dishes will include a "Mezze by Market District" station where shoppers can customize their own Mediterranean-themed grain-based bowls or salads.

"We're also expanding the prepared food section with everything from salads and sandwiches to heat-and-eat meals, all made on-site," Abbott said.

Market District spokesperson Jannah Jablonowski said the renovation also included a large self-checkout area.

"It really helps things flow a lot more quickly, and guests notice things like that," she said.

The whole-store overhaul allowed Market District officials to look at the way people move through the store.

"Any time you have the opportunity to go 'down to the studs,' so to speak, you can look at the way the store is laid out," Abbott said.

A prime example is the greeting-card section, which took up a sizable amount of space now dedicated to beer and wine sales. The card section has been pared down significantly and moved to a less-prominent spot.

In addition to a beefed-up bakery, butcher department and other staples, shoppers will see more locally sourced products.

"Especially with our produce, we use different growers all located within 120 miles of here," Abbott said. "As the renovation progressed, we began reaching to a lot of local vendors."

From local cheese-makers like Pleasant Lane Farms of Unity and Goat Rodeo of Indiana Township to a freezer case full of Leona's ice cream sandwiches to a section comprised solely of regional products, the opportunity to support local food producers played a large role in the store's transition to a Market District.

Abbott said the store's distribution of Leona's, in particular, highlights how Market District's focus on local purveyors can help all involved.

"With a product like Leona's, the cost is higher than with other similar desserts, but we don't have to put it on promotion. We're the only store that carries it, and the value is being able to find it here," he said. "At the same time, Leona's doesn't have the ability to scale up exponentially, but knowing we'll be purchasing 200 items for the store each week allows them to scale up a little at a time."

The store will officially reopen at 7 a.m., with a 10 a.m. ceremonial cake cutting and cooking demonstration with Emmy-winning TV personality and chef Andrew Zimmern.

Market District is at 4810 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick by email at pvarine@triblive.com or via Twitter .