VIDALIA, La. – The former Sack ‘n’ Save market on Carter Street was scheduled to reopen early this morning as Vidalia Market – and apparently, not a moment too soon.

&uot;We had people try to open the doors,&uot; Barry Loy, retail sales manager for Natchez-based Supermarket Operations, said Tuesday. &uot;We saw people walking down the aisles, and we had to explain to them that we weren’t open yet.&uot;

On Dec. 13 Texas-based grocery chain Fleming bought the Sack ‘n’ Save and 13 other stores from Jitney Jungle Stores of America in a bankruptcy auction. Five days later, an agreement was finalized for Supermarket Operations to buy the Vidalia store. Supermarket Operations took possession of the store Jan. 4, and employees have been worked almost around the clock ever since to clean, repaint and restock the store and install an updated computer system.

&uot;We stress quality and friendly service in all our stores, and we will here, too,&uot;&160;Loy said during a break from making finishing touches to the store. &uot;We’re under new management, and we’re ready to go.&uot;

Robert Parker will serve as manager of Vidalia Market.

Supermarket Operations already owns two Natchez Markets, a Ferriday Market and a Natchez Piggly Wiggly.

The company also owns and operates Ball Food Store in Ball and Oakdale Market in Oakdale.

Jitney filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 1999 after rising debts and costs outstripped revenues.

On Dec. 13, Winn-Dixie bought 68 Jitney-owned stores for more than $80 million, while grocery chain Bruno’s bought 20 stores for more than $11 million.

Prior to the Dec. 13, Jitney had already closed or sold more than 60 stores, most of them in or near large cities.