A lot has been happening in the last few weeks, so here's a roundup of all the local supermarket news of the northeast. It's January, so unfortunately that means a lot of closures (openings typically happen in the spring and summer, and closures typically happen in the winter). But there's some other things going on, too. You can also follow me at news.marketreportblog.com for all the updates!
This Weekend's Posts
City Supermarket nears completion of its remodel in Kenilworth
The small but mighty store in downtown Kenilworth is wrapping up its remodel after being acquired by local chain City Supermarket last summer. Read more here!
Price Chopper prepares to close a Worcester store
The writing has been on the wall for years, but the time is here: Price Chopper will be closing their store in Main South Worcester. Read all about it here!
Shaw's at Webster Square is reset, but not (yet?) remodeled
And just a couple blocks away, Shaw's has reset their southern Worcester location, but it hasn't been remodeled. The reset shrank the contents of the nearly 80,000 square foot store, but didn't actually reduce the size. See more here!
Checking in on closed Stop & Shop locations
Trader Joe's might move into the closed small-format store in Newton, MA, while Gourmet Glatt is preparing to move into Jackson and Moisha's is preparing to move into Howell. Both are kosher supermarkets. Other locations aren't so lucky, such as Milford, which remains empty. See an update on Newton here!
Stop & Shop also replaces a store in Acton
But there's also some good news coming from Stop & Shop, including a brand-new store replacing an older one in northeastern Massachusetts. Meanwhile, their promise to lower prices seems to be coming through. Read more about it here!
Worcester's two Latin grocery stores complete remodels
As Price Chopper prepares to close in Worcester, two nearby Latin grocery stores have finished up remodels. The tiny Plaza Supermarket, just blocks from Price Chopper, has finished nearly all of a remodel -- save for the addition of a hot food bar in the deli -- while Gala Foods downtown has also remodeled. See more about Plaza here and Gala Foods here.
More News
Several supermarkets sold, but will retain their names
In the last two weeks, four supermarkets have been sold in three apparently unrelated transactions. The Food Universe in Clifton has changed ownership, as has the SuperFresh in Linden (arguably Key Food's flagship store, and their largest). Both are expected to stay under their current brands. Meanwhile, Brookdale ShopRite has sold their two locations, in Bloomfield and Newark, to a larger ShopRite owner, Glass Gardens. Glass Gardens now owns 13 ShopRites in New Jersey and New York.
Staten Island's Asian Food Markets has closed
After only a few years, the newly-built Asian Food Markets on Staten Island has closed. It's not entirely clear why, but it's possible increased competition from a new and larger Asian supermarket across the island did the store in. Other locations remain in New Jersey.
City Fresh Market opens in Ridgewood
Occupying a former Rite Aid, local chain City Fresh Market has opened its latest store at 583 Grandview Ave in Ridgewood, Queens.
LIDL opening in Brooklyn and Paramus -- but not Hawthorne
LIDL is preparing new stores in Brooklyn, to open January 29th, and Paramus, to open February 12. But they've canceled an in-progress store in Hawthorne, NJ.
SuperFresh in Middlesex may close
The SuperFresh in Middlesex, opened just over a year ago, may be preparing to close. A flyer posted to the Bennett Realty website advertises the building for sale or lease, including a floor and fixture plan of the supermarket (which is fun to see, since I rarely get to). While no official announcement has been made that the store intends to close, it's clear it could in the near future. The store has always seemed very slow when I've visited, although it's quite nice.
Top Tomato in Old Bridge has closed
One final piece of closure news ('tis the season)... the Top Tomato in Old Bridge has also closed. It's not a complete surprise, as Top Tomato has opened and closed many stores previously, but this one happened very fast as it only opened in late June. A Facebook rumor claims it'll reopen under new ownership in a few weeks, but I can't confirm that.
The Ultimate Northeast Price Comparison
How much do you pay weekly for groceries? If you're like me, you probably keep track, and keep a spreadsheet for each week's shopping. No? Just me? Okay, so let me share my spreadsheet with you! I've compared prices of 50 general grocery, perishable, and nonfood items across more than 30 stores in the northeast region. At the cheapest store, the total came to $256, but the most expensive was over $400. Read all about the comparison, and check out the prices for yourself, here!
Maybe they should have named that chain Bottom Tomato, since (like the actual tomatoes on the bottom of the box), their stores keep getting quickly squashed! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat chain is reputed to have some less-than-savory connections. Who knows what's happening behind the scenes.
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