Grade A Markets
Opened: 2001 (?)
Grade A Markets has been in Stamford for decades -- the company dates back to 1929, for instance -- but in the last few years, the operator has changed a lot. They've rebranded to Cingari Family Markets, for one, and that company now owns ten ShopRites and two Grade A Markets, both of which are in northern Stamford. Both of those stores are also former Grand Unions, and the larger one here on Newfield Avenue has just completed a major remodel.
We first saw the roughly 30,000 square foot store a few years ago with pictures from 2019, and oh how things have changed. Cingari has gone from an operator of quirky, generally boring, and outdated neighborhood supermarkets to a first-rate supermarket chain. They're in the process of remodeling all of their stores, including that Danbury one, and the results are nothing less than spectacular. I've also photographed one of the other renovated stores in Stamford which I'll post eventually.
The layout hasn't changed at all, but with virtually all new fixtures, new decor, and new flooring, this feels like a new store (save for the somewhat awkward layout due to the expansion in the back-left corner).
Produce still takes up the front half of the grand aisle, with deli, bakery, seafood, and prepared foods behind it in an expansion that extends out to the left. There's also a few short grocery aisles here. Meat and a service butcher are on the back wall, with dairy/frozen on the right side.
This area is all but unrecognizable compared to before the renovation. And not only have the cosmetics changed, the products are also different. The perimeter departments have all been upgraded with new items and recipes, which the Danbury article mentions.
Baked goods line the front wall of that expansion area, with service bakery and deli on the left side. Seafood is at the back. Cheese, salad bar, and hot food bar are in the middle.
You can catch a glimpse of the old logo and branding on some of the assorted baked goods, which still use the pre-2002 ShopRite logo.
For all intents and purposes, this store is a ShopRite, and the receipts even say ShopRite. But this and the other Grade A store run a different circular, and switching to Cingari on all the fresh-packaged items will eliminate a lot of the references to ShopRite throughout the store.
I was here in the morning, and the baked goods looked pretty awesome.
Deli lines most of the left-side wall. I love the sign here, with great lighting and even historical pictures subtly worked in behind the lettering.
The cheese selection has also been upgraded!
Here's a look at the seafood counter before the renovation.
Check out this selection of DiBruno Brothers items, a specialty Italian food product brand and small chain of gourmet markets that was acquired by a ShopRite operator in early 2024.
The meat department is significantly updated, too, with new decor and flooring, although I believe the fixtures were just painted. Notice the ShopRite-branded carts.
Like all other Wakefern stores, this Grade A uses Bowl & Basket, Paperbird, and Wholesome Pantry products.
The service butcher counter on the back wall has always been a nice feature, but it, too, has been significantly upgraded.
What's interesting is that it seems the intention here is not just to update the store, but to actually improve offerings and selections. From what I saw here and what I remember from the old Grade A, they've done it quite well.
Freezer and dairy cases weren't updated, and they could've used a fresh coat of paint, but I suppose they didn't need any work done.
Dairy lines the outside of the last aisle, with frozen facing.
And chips, beer, and soda are in an alcove in the front-right corner.
The front-end has been updated, too, with new self checkout registers and some new signage.
This store is looking really good and I'm excited to see more similar changes in the other Cingari stores. I'll need to make another trip to Connecticut to check them out!
Owner: Tom Cingari / Cingari Family Markets
Previous Tenants: Grand Union
Cooperative: Wakefern Food Corp.
Location: 563 Newfield Ave, Stamford, CT
Photographed: February 3, 2025
In the meantime, here's a look at the other stores we're seeing this weekend.
The plastic Unarcos shopping carts are certainly used - perhaps they came from a ShopRite that closed?
ReplyDeleteI don't think so. Those are new, and appearing in various ShopRites near me recently. I would assume it's not worth getting separately branded carts for the ShopRite and Grade A locations, and they were relatively recently new at this store.
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