The long-planned expansion of the Edgartown Stop & Shop is expected to be finished before the end of 2023, capping the years-long saga to renovate the grocery store chain’s largest location on Martha’s Vineyard.

Plans for the Upper Main street store have been in the works since 2016, and had to go through several lawsuits to get this close to the finish line. A company spokesperson said last week that the expanded area of the store will open before the start of 2024.

The area, which can be seen unfurnished through windows from the grocer’s parking lot, will feature a new deli, produce department and meat and seafood counter, said Caroline Medeiros, a Stop & Shop spokesperson.

The area was still largely unfurnished last week.

Ray Ewing

The area was still largely unfurnished last week.

Ray Ewing

“The remainder of the store is being remodeled to create a refreshed, wider selection across bakery, dairy, frozen food and more, all with great values for our customers,” she said. “The overall store completion date is estimated to take place in the spring of 2024.”

Earlier this month, signs for the deli and meat counter were up in the largely empty expansion space. Some display cases were out, as were several bright orange lifts to aid with the construction. A sandwich board told customers the area was “coming soon” and advised them to use the main entrance.

A grand reopening is planned for next year, though Ms. Medeiros did not have firm dates for either the expansion completion or festivities.

The major renovation project will add about 16,000 square feet of space to the existing 25,000-foot grocery store. The demolition and rebuilding of the small Rockland Trust branch at the edge of the parking lot was recently completed.

The last major overhaul of the grocery store was in 1989.

The addition was approved by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission in 2018 and later approved by the Edgartown planning board. Plans were later challenged by Edgartown attorney Benjamin Hall Jr., whose family owns neighboring property. He filed a series of appeals, claiming several technical and substantive issues with the permitting process.

The latest appeal was dismissed by a Dukes County Superior Court judge in January 2023. Mr. Hall filed an appeal of the judge’s decision in August and the matter is still before the state Appeals Court.