Member of Morris Group International
Accelerating Store Renovation with AcornVac’s Efficient Vacuum Plumbing System
January 30, 2025
As a grocery store owner or manager, you know exactly how much your store makes daily. Now, imagine losing those sales for days or even weeks during a renovation. The impact is staggering, isn’t it?
Grocery stores are constantly busy. The Institute of Transportation Engineers estimates that one Walmart supercenter receives 10,000 car visits daily. For your store, whether it’s a small local market or a large chain, every hour of operation counts.
Now, picture the chaos of shutting down your frozen and refrigerated sections for an extended period—not just the lost sales, but the mess and disruption to your customers’ shopping experience.
Traditionally, renovations, especially those involving plumbing, can be a nightmare for grocery stores due to the mess it creates and the downtime involved. But what if there was a way to minimize this disruption?
The root of these renovation nightmares often lies in the plumbing system. Underground drainage is the silent culprit behind extended closures, messy worksites, and skyrocketing renovation costs. Replacing or modifying underslab drainage typically involves invasive procedures that can shut down entire sections of your store.
But what if you could renovate without tearing up your floors or disrupting your entire operation?
This is where AcornVac’s vacuum plumbing system enters the picture. By eliminating the need for floor penetration, this innovative solution dramatically simplifies installation and minimizes disruption to your existing structure.
The result?
Significantly accelerated renovation timelines that can keep your store operational and your revenue flowing.
Benefits and Advantages of Vacuum Plumbing for Retail Grocery
AcornVac systems offer numerous advantages specifically tailored to grocery stores’ unique needs.
One of the primary benefits is the elimination of under-slab gravity drainage in both sales and preparation areas. This feature not only simplifies new construction but also opens up opportunities for converting existing buildings with limited drainage into supermarkets. This is particularly valuable when plumbing upgrades would be cost-prohibitive due to challenging site or structural conditions, such as post-tension slabs, bedrock, asbestos, methane ground contamination, or high water tables.
The absence of trenching in AcornVac installations brings multiple benefits. Store remodeling becomes less expensive, safer, more hygienic, and significantly faster. For new construction projects, this translates to reduced costsand quicker completion times, allowing facilities to become operational sooner.
AcornVac systems align well with modern “open” architectural store designs, where electrical and refrigeration services are supplied to display cases from overhead. This compatibility extends to the system’s adaptability—it can easily accommodate last-minute merchandising changes and seasonal display relocations. This flexibility is a significant advantage in the dynamic retail environment of grocery stores.
From a health and safety perspective, AcornVac systems contribute to a cleaner environment by reducing health hazards typically associated with drainage tied directly to a lateral waste piping connecting to sanitary sewer. AcornVac condensate systems prevent the backup of sewage underneath refrigerated cases and at walk-in coolers, which is an important feature—particularly important in food retail settings where hygiene is paramount.
Lastly, there’s a financial benefit to consider. AcornVac equipment can be capitalized and relocated if the store changes location, providing long-term value to the owner beyond a single installation.
What are Construction Managers, Contractors, and Retailers saying about the AcornVac System?
AcornVac was very helpful throughout the design process, providing the necessary design and specification input. The installation of the system went very smoothly.”
– Anthony Colacchia, M.E. Principal, Capital Engineering Consultants Inc.The System provided a healthy store environment for employees and guests during the construction process. The system eliminates the saw cutting of the concrete throughout the store floor, which would have produced a great deal of dust and residue—no matter how carefully you tarp off the area. With the AcornVac System, we reduced the amount of construction waste, tile, concrete, carpeting, etc., while being environmentally friendly.”
– Gausman & Moore, Commercial Retail Remodel, Santa Maria, CAWith our exposed concrete floor, vacuum technology allows Trader Joe’s the flexibility to move and add additional cases without saw cutting. This allows us to keep a consistent looking floor free of patches and trench lines.”
– Director of Construction, Trader Joe’sWhen I started off my career with Target, I would work a lot with the gravity blackwater. And as I went to my next position where they had vacuum, it was just a night and day difference between how easy it was to make sure that the store was up and running for the guests and the team members.”
– Gabriel Montoya, Target, Executive Team Leader RemodelWe understand that innovative technology can seem daunting at first. However, our customers tell us that vacuum systems are very easy to learn. Once they know the simple science behind it, they can work on the system themselves without bringing in specialists.
Still, we’re here for you every step of the way, including:
- Planning: We coordinate with the engineer of record and owner during the project’s design phase to assist in system sizing, piping layout, and specification development.
- Construction and Commissioning: We help coordinate the commissioning of all system areas, along with diagnostic evaluation and recommendations for resolution of any areas of concern.
- Installation: We offer installation training for the contractor, covering system dynamics and proper installation requirements. Training is supplemented by periodic inspection of the installation with detailed reporting regarding completion and correction of any installation deficiencies.
- Training, Support and Follow-up: We offer on-site training for facility maintenance staff. This includes a complete overview of the dynamics of the vacuum system and training in basic maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Service: Our staff and representatives are available to facility maintenance personnel for telephone consultation at no additional cost on an ongoing basis.
Don’t get left behind! Discover what industry leaders already know about revolutionizing store renovations. AcornVac’s innovative vacuum plumbing system is transforming how retailers approach construction projects, and it’s time you joined the conversation.
Want to learn why your peers are choosing AcornVac for faster, more cost-effective renovations? Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.
Our experts are ready to show you how AcornVac can accelerate your next project, reduce expenses, and minimize business disruption. Whether you’re planning a major overhaul or a minor update, we’ll demonstrate how our system can give you the edge in today’s competitive retail landscape.
Take the first step towards smarter renovations— reach out to AcornVac now and tap into the industry’s best-kept secret for efficient store construction.