Construction started this week at Bainbridge Island’s Town & Country Market.

Over the course of four phases of construction, the remodel will bring all of the store’s departments together on one floor, include a new staffed sushi counter and expanded Culinary Resources Center, which provides daily food samples and recipes.

In addition, the market will be refitted with new, energy-efficient equipment.

Plans for improving and updating the 56-year-old market began nearly two years ago.

After receiving a building permit from the city last Friday, contractors were finally given the green light to begin the 14-month remodel.

Phase 1 of the project will begin at the back of the house through July. During this phase, work will concentrate on the southeast corner of the building and the lower and south parking areas.

The southeast corner will be renovated to eventually house the seafood, meat and bulk foods departments, while the back room will house produce.

Infrastructure renovations in the first phase will include new electrical service and mechanical rooms, which house refrigeration equipment.

During the later half of Phase 1, administrative offices will also be moved downstairs.

In Phase 2, renovation will transfer to the northeast corner and the center areas of the store from July through December.

During this phase a vehicle entrance off of Winslow Way will be established to the east of the current entrance. A new store entrance will also be incorporated into the northeast corner of the building.

In addition to new entrances to the store, Phase 2 will incorporate some major overhauls of the store’s interior.

Customers will no longer have to wear extra layers while perusing the milk section of the store. A new dairy section will be installed on the east wall with glass doors to provide better protection for the product and greater energy efficiency.

The bakery will move to the north wall, with an open plan and service counter where bakery staff can better assist customers.

The espresso shop will be placed nearby next to the new northeast entrance.

Phases 3 and 4 will focus on the finishing touches of the project from January through April 2015. Contractors will complete the beer and wine department and the produce department, install the grocery aisles, new salad bars, eight new “horseshoe” check stands, and construct a west entry “tower” for second-story seating.

The new entry will also be temporarily closed while new walls on the north and west side of the building are constructed.

With work underway, store officials are now asking for the community’s cooperation.

The store will remain open over the next 14 months with adjustments to customer parking.

“We’re really seeking the community’s cooperation when it comes to who is parking in our lot, and for how long,” store director Rick Pedersen said.

About three dozen parking spaces are expected to be lost during Phase 1 of construction.

The contractor hired for the job, Abbot Construction, will be fencing off the lower lot for building materials and large equipment.

During Phase 2, parking will also likely be affected at the small lot between Winslow Way and the west side of the building.

While store employees and construction workers will be parking off site, parking at the market will be shortened to one hour for customers. To enforce the temporary change, store officials will be working in the lot to make sure it is used by customers only.

For more information, visit the remodel website at www.tcremodel.net or the store’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/TandCMarket.