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Partly Cloudy Associated Supermarket coming to Valley Stream
A new Associated Supermarket is on its way to Valley Stream. Banners marking the supermarket’s upcoming arrival are already in place at 500 W. Merrick Road, a vacant building that housed Waldbaum’s until three months ago.
The New York metropolitan area supermarket chain will open its newest store sometime this month, said Harry Laufer, an Associated spokesman. The company jumped at the opportunity to move into the vacant building in the village’s west end. “The spot was available, so we decided to take it,” Laufer said.
However, the supermarket’s grand opening must wait until bankruptcy proceedings involving the building’s former occupants have ended. The Great Atlantic & Pacific Company, which operates Waldbaum’s, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy last December. Thirty-two of its stores, including the Valley Stream Waldbaum’s, closed as part of the company’s “turnaround strategy” and restructuring plan in April. Debtors concluded the stores could not be “feasibly rehabilitated,” according to A&P officials.
The store had sat empty, but not undisturbed, in recent weeks. Last month, village officials reported that bomb threats were written on the building, which have since been erased. Nassau County police started an investigation, and began monitoring the site.
The building’s condition is “fairly clean,” according to Village Clerk Bob Barra. “It is in good working order from what I can see,” he said, “and the shopping area is also in good condition.”
However, the village had directed its Public Works officials to clean up garbage dumped behind the store. Officials say they are only aware of the one incident of vandalism, and are ready to see the new business take over the property as soon as possible. “The quicker people come in here, the better for the west end residents,” Barra said.
A&P still holds the building’s lease, according to Walter Morris, the property owner. Morris said that the store was put up for auction early on during the court proceedings, which are drawing to a close. He was notified by mail that Associated put in the winning bid, he said. Associated is now purchasing the existing lease from A&P in a third party agreement, subject to the court’s approval, according to Morris.
“I have met with the prospective purchaser,” Morris said, “and I think highly of him and his plans.”
Any changes made to the lease have to be publicly filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court, confirmed Eric Andrus, an A&P spokesman.
Since there will be no change in the building’s use, the new supermarket can move in easily. Associated will not have to obtain any variances, permits or have to make parking changes in order to move in, Mayor Ed Fare explained.
But, if the tenant chooses to make alterations or additions to the property, they will have to get permits. “I cannot imagine them doing anything other than cosmetic changes like adding shelves,” Fare said. “But their architectural plans should sail right through our building department.” Associated must obtain approval for its sign from the village’s architectural review board.
Fare is ecstatic about the news. “I couldn’t be happier that a supermarket is going in,” he said. “The west end of Valley Stream deserves to be have a full service supermarket in their neighborhood…I am thrilled.”
Growing up in the village’s west end, Fare knows the importance of having a supermarket in that area, he noted. Residents might just catch him perusing one of the aisles. “I will be shopping there,” he said.
The new supermarket will be the second Associated within the village. There is another location, a smaller store, in the downtown business district on Rockaway Avenue.
