A new, 41,000-square-foot Schnucks is almost set to open Nov. 1 at the corner of Clarkson and Kehrs Mill roads after months of construction, years of planning and not a small amount of controversey. 

The hustle of preparing the new store for its debut was evident Tuesday afternoon with the store's parking lot nearly full of cars and trucks. Lori Willis told Chesterfield Patch in an email that "the countdown has begun" and an official announcement could be expected soon. 

The new Schnucks is located in Ballwin but borders Chesterfield. It was initially estimated in April that the the store would be open as early as July or August.

The development process for the supermarket was also initially hindered several years ago when a group representing landowners in the area unsuccessfully sued the city of Ballwin and Schnucks Markets. The lawsuit claimed that the new building would lower property values in the mostly residential area.