Supermarket coming to former Big-N-Cheap site

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A new supermarket is coming to Baldwin that will offer organic and gluten-free food along with other supermarket staples, but one detail that has not been finalized yet is the name of the store.

Signs were recently posted in front of the former Big-N-Cheap on Grand Avenue, just south of Merrick Road, announcing the new store. According to Frank Jorge, a representative of Compare Foods Supermarkets, a lease was finalized about two weeks ago by Compare and Pergament Properties, which oversees the property.

“While we still aren’t sure what name we will be using,” Jorge said, “we are sure that we want to bring something fresh, exciting and brand new to Baldwin and its surrounding area residents.”

Jorge explained that Compare inquired about the site soon after Big-N-Cheap, an all-in-one store, closed its doors. The interior of the building has been cleared, and it will be completely renovated, Jorge added.

“We want to give the community something to be proud of,” he said. “We are very early in design discussions, but we are speaking to some of the most well respected designers in the industry.”

According to Jorge, Compare is looking to begin construction in December or January, and would like to open the supermarket before next summer.

Representatives of local organizations were happy to hear of the new developments. Debbie Pugliese, a Baldwin Chamber of Commerce board member, said that Jorge had expressed an interest in joining the chamber. “We are thrilled that he is investing in our community,” she said, “and look forward to having an exciting new place to shop in Baldwin.”

Baldwin Civic Association President David Viana said his group hoped the new store would encourage additional investment in the downtown area. “The Big-N-Cheap property is a prime location, and we believe the supermarket will do well,” Viana said. “We are especially looking forward to the organic food that will be sold at the supermarket.” He added that many BCA members had hoped Baldwin would one day have a supermarket that sold organic foods, similar to Trader Joe’s and Uncle Giuseppe’s.

Darien Ward, chairman of the BCA Economic Development Committee, said he was happy to hear about the area’s newest development, and that the supermarket would offer a unique shopping experience for Baldwin and the surrounding communities. “The use of the property as a retail establishment is a part of the BCA’s efforts to attract and develop sustainable businesses,” he said.

Jorge said that Compare, which operates two supermarkets in Freeport, has wanted to open up a store in Baldwin for some time. “When we found out that the location was available,” he said, “we knew we had to get in.”