GIANT FOOD is finally sprucing up its aging store in Eagle Village on U.S. 1 in Fredericksburg.

The building, the oldest Giant in the area, is getting a fresh coat of paint inside and out, and an expanded section of natural, organic and gluten-free items, among other changes.

The work is taking place mainly in the late evenings, and is expected to be completed in a few weeks, said spokesman Jamie Miller.

The renovation is part of the Project Refresh program that Landover, Md.-based Giant Food started three years ago. Its goal is to remodel or replace some 100 Giant stores throughout the Maryland, D.C., Northern Virginia and Delaware region. Among them is the Giant Food in Hilltop Shopping Center in Spotsylvania County, which was renovated last October.

The most notable change at the Eagle Village store is the expanded selection of natural, organic and gluten-free products. These are located on shelves in the former floral section, which has been given new, wood laminate flooring.

Fresh flowers are now available in buckets near the store entrance, and potted plants are on a display stand between two free-standing refrigerated cases on the dairy and prepackaged deli meats aisle.

Other improvements will include new lighting, a renovated customer service desk and a bargain aisle where many items will sell for $1.

The University of Mary Washington Foundation, which owns Eagle Village, has long wanted Giant Food to renovate or replace the store. Miller said he couldn't say at this time whether any additional changes are being considered.

He did say that there have been discussions with potential tenants for the space Giant vacated at the Spotsylvania Crossing shopping center earlier this year, "but there's no deal in place at this time."

The Eagle Village Giant isn't the only Fredericksburg-area store selling groceries that will be getting a new look.