The new Giant Food Stores in Walnutport will be open for business Friday morning.

That didn’t stop the supermarket chain from celebrating one day early as store representatives recognized five local community groups as part of a special presentation Thursday morning.

Ashley Flower, manager of communications and community relations, said Giant is “thrilled to be here in Walnutport,” and thanked all those responsible “for putting this beautiful store together.”

Flower said the new 55,000-square-foot store at 300 S. Best Ave., is open from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week and employs about 200 full- and part-time associates.

Steve Bowlby, store manager, said he was “so excited for the opening of this store.”

Bowlby, a 27-year grocery veteran, said the supermarket chain has “never had a reception like we’ve had coming to this area.”

“I’ve never seen so much excitement,” Bowlby said. “We are thrilled to be a part of this community.”

To help celebrate its opening, Giant made $1,000 donations to Diamond Fire Company, Northern Lehigh Food Bank, Northern Lehigh School District, Walnutport Police Department and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Accepting on behalf of Diamond Fire Company was fire Chief Michael Wentz; for Northern Lehigh Food Bank was director Dale Breyfogle; for Northern Lehigh School District was Superintendent Matthew J. Link; for Walnutport Police Department was police Chief Pete Wayda; and for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was Bridget Welz, assistant director of Retail Cause Marketing & Children’s Miracle Network, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The store features a farm fresh produce department that has over 350 items; a full-service deli; full-service meat and seafood; a full-service bakery; and full-service floral.

The store also features a Beer & Wine Eatery with more than 300 varieties of both national and local brand beer and wine in addition to fresh-made far including meal combos, sandwiches, wraps, subs, sushi and salads;

The eatery seats 30 and will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

The store also includes a Giant fuel station, where for every $100 spent on groceries using a BonusCard, customers receive 10 cents off per gallon of gas when they fill up as part of Gas Extra Rewards. Six pumps are available.

Customers can choose to visit in-store, or order their groceries online for curbside pickup with Giant Direct at peapod.com.

The store also offers catering options. Customers can call 1-888-442-6812, place an order at the store, or simply order online at giantfoodstores.com.

The store is also assigned a feeding agency partner to receive weekly food donations through the company’s food rescue program, including its acclaimed “Meat the Needs” initiative.

The opening of the store is part of a $70 million capital investment the company announced last year to grow its store network.

Giant replaces the former Pathmark store.

In July 2015, grocery store chain A&P, which also operates Pathmark and Super Fresh stores in the area, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and planned to close or sell off stores. Twenty-five stores closed, including the one in Walnutport.

The building previously housed a Super Fresh supermarket, and before that, a Kmart.

A Giant food store has been located in the Carbon Plaza Mall in Lehighton since 2001. Last year, it became Carbon County’s first supermarket to sell beer and wine.