Grocery Outlet Opening 1st Howard County Location Before Thanksgiving

Business & Tech

Grocery Outlet Opening 1st Howard County Location Before Thanksgiving Grocery Outlet will be opening its first location in Howard County before Thanksgiving, marking its 12th site in Maryland.

COLUMBIA, MD — The first Grocery Outlet to call Howard County home will open its doors next week in time for Thanksgiving shopping.

Grocery Outlet will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. with prizes awarded to customers starting at 8 a.m. The store will be independently owned and operated by Jay Mirza and supported by Rizwana Mirza. The Columbia store marks the 12th Grocery Outlet to open in Maryland.

Grocery Outlet's Chief New Growth Officer Layla Kasha told Patch that the store boasts 15,000 square feet and offer a variety of goods.

"We call shopping at Grocery Outlet a treasure hunt for a reason - you never know what you may find. So, if you've never been to a Grocery Outlet before, we are looking forward to getting to know you and providing you and your family with new options for high-quality, affordable fresh produce, fresh meat, deli, dairy, frozen, health and beauty, and general merchandise. And if you're familiar with us, we can't wait to surprise you with something new," Kasha told Patch. "Not only is it the first of its kind in Howard County, but shoppers will also be able to find high-quality, name brand groceries at a savings of 40 to 70%—right in their backyard."

The Columbia location also will offer delivery services through third parties starting in December, Kasha said.

"We are so excited to be expanding Grocery Outlet's footprint in Maryland with our new location in Columbia, and we couldn't ask for better operators than Jay and Rizwana. As Maryland residents themselves, Jay and Rizwana are both grateful and excited for the opportunity to give back to a community they call home," Kasha told Patch.

At its grand opening Nov. 21, the first 100 customers through the doors at 8 a.m. will receive a Bliss Buck gift card for mystery amounts ranging from $5 to $500. Shoppers will also receive one free reusable bag with their purchase through opening week, while supplies last. Customers also can enter to win $1,000 in free groceries now through Dec. 19. Any customer that registers for the Grocery Outlet app and selects Columbia as their home store will also get a $5 coupon toward a $15 purchase.

Columbia Grocery Outlet is located at 5410 Lynx Lane.