The Duane Reade at 2025 Broadway between 69th and 70th Streets that closed earlier this year is being replaced by a supermarket, according to our tipster Iris, who has been reliable source of info in the past. She didn’t have the name of the market, but said she spoke to the owners.
“I met the owners who are truly very nice and caring about the neighborhood. No opening date set they told me. Great for the neighborhood!”
That Duane Reade could make a decent supermarket — it’s got two levels and a significant amount of space downstairs.
Residents in that area have been clamoring for a new supermarket for years, ever since the Food Emporium closed on the other side of Broadway at 68th Street. They even started a petition to coax a market there, though Lowe’s took over instead. After Lowe’s closed in 2018, politicians again pushed for a new market there.
We’ll keep everyone informed if we hear more about this potential mystery market.
If there is a God in heaven it will be a West Side Market.
YES!!! Agree West Side Mkt!!! is greatly missed
I miss West Side Market as well.
It’s too small for a West Side Market.
The space there was very tight compared with other DuaneReade stores.
Maybe this location will only sell Maria’s cornucopia of ready-to-wear foods?
Aldi would make a killing there
I agree. Aldi’s is an amazing chain. Their fresh produce is so reasonable and….fresh.
Their dairy goods (cheeses and milk) have lasted much longer than those purchased from other stores in our neighborhood. And you can’t beat their grocery and canned good prices.
Before the pandemic, on occasion, we would travel up to 117th St to Costco, and stop in Aldis. I usually found more choices in products there than Costco.
We have so many empty stores on the UWS, they would be welcome in any one of them.
Aldi’s owns Trader Joe’s
Not really. There are two Aldi’s which are no longer related. One owns the Aldi;s in the US the other owns TJ. Aldi is a german company and I believe the largest grocer in europe
You just know that people would still rather line up at the TJ’s down the block on 72nd.
Aldi’s owns TJ’s
Not the same Aldi’s.
I will never line up at TJs. I didn’t even like it in there pre-pandemic
Agreed!!! What is the attraction of Trader Joe’s? Terrible low quality food.
people lining up=demand for another option
Depends on what supermarket it is. But I’ll believe it when I see it.
hopefully it will be a Grand Union or Sloans
Pick and Pay!
Or a Bohack
Bohack closed in 1977. Amusingly, there’s an episode of “Maude” in which she finds a wallet in the parking lot of Bohack’s.
Or an A&P. LOL!
Rat! Another grocery store in my neighborhood.
Any market there will hardly be “super.” That space is pretty small by today’s market standards. It will be more like the groceries from the 1970s in size and compactness. The main floor is small and the lower level adds only a little more space.
I thought at least one of the shops on the back side had closed (Capezio maybe) – perhaps the could combine spaces.
this space reminds me of the Morton Williams on 57th st
I’m thrilled at the news but somewhat surprised they chose this space while the former Lowe’s / Food Emporium remains empty. Anything to save us from the nightmare that is Fairway is a plus for the neighborhood.
Happy as I am about the news, the space is very small for a supermarket. The old Food Emporium space is still empty, surely that’d be a better location.
Duane Reade’s escalators were always broken! A supermarket that insists customers carry their heavy grocery bags up an escalator is not a pleasant shopping experience, especially for seniors.
And an elevator alternative is not an acceptable option during our Covid-19 social distancing.
Yes, the old Lowe’s space in the Copley – on one level – would have been a much smarter strategic plan for a successful food market.
Sheesh, when did this non existent grocery store insist that seniors carry groceries up an escalator? 😮
…or that the new tenant would not include an escalator overhaul/modernization as part of the lease agreement. So much negativity.
Overall space is pretty small. Boutique food market at best, not a supermarket by any means. More like an oversized bodega. And they better fix the escalator. Don’t think I’ve seen it work the last decade.
Anyone else thinks that’s a little too close to not only Trader Joes but Fairway too??
That’s 3 supermarkets in 5 blocks, I think it would be better if one were in the 80s
“Residents in that area have been clamoring for a new supermarket for years”
Ummm Trader Joes???
Gourmet Garage would be nice.
Unlikely considering there’s one 3 blocks away.
Dear G-d: please send a West Side Market back into our lives. Sincerely, Me.
I would love a West Side Market too! And this means not having to walk in the 70s and 80s to those markets by the homeless shelters.
The space of the former Banana Republic at 86th & Broadway is being renovated. Anyone know what’s going in there? Not sure if the basement space underneath, formerly Gristede’s, is being done too.
Commercial condo owner is redoing the space to rent out to a signal user.
Oops, that should read single.
Ditto on Aldi’s. They’re expanding.
Both Trader Joe’s and ALDI are owned by the same company. Opening so close to each other would threaten to cannibalize them.
That would remind me of trump and AC, with his 3 casinos! Worst businessman ever…
“Owned by a German company called Albrecht Discounts, ALDI is a discount grocery chain that started in Germany in 1948. Trader Joe’s, although it may be based in Southern California, is actually owned by Albrecht Discounts.”
It’s an awkward space
Who would open a supermarket two blocks from A Trader Joe’s?
Well, why did TJ’s go up 2 blocks from Fairway, lol? Do you remember ‘the good ol’ days,’ when there was a Sloans, Gristedes, A&P/Food Emporium, and D’Agostinos all within blocks of each other? I’m sure I’m missing a few, but not everyone wants to shop at TJs.
You are so right, Lynn. I forgot about all those markets!
A supermarket is desperately needed at site of closed Duane Reade at 88th & Bway as well!
I hope ALDI or LIDL might rent the space. They are well-established, grocery chains that offer consumers very affordable, high-quality foods and more. Let’s make food affordable to everyone. Some of the other grocery stores have wonderful and well-presented groceries, of course, but they’re much too expensive, especially during these economic trials caused by COVID-19.
since fairway lost its old kosher supervision and all the good quality went down this will be fabulous for the neighborhood cant wait
WOW! Greatest News! It’s a miracle! Anything is better than nothing! Anything, please! Another supermarket is really desperately needed in this area! Fairway is a little too far and the lines at Trader Joe’s are a horror show! The Gourmet Garage has unsanitary conditions particularly during this pandemic and the food selection is limited and expensive. It’s more like a fast deli for a few neighborhood people. Not too many shoppers go there! This old Duane Reade location is prime and very handy for shoppers living in the old and new buildings around the area. Thank You God! Let it happen….
Can we get ANY Supermarket on Broadway in the 70s or 80’s. There is not one!
It would do a booming business.
“Please Mr. D’Agostino…”
New supermarket! Yes!! Please!!!!
Just saw where Levain cookies will be going into Central Market which is a Texas based supermarket. Being from Texas..Central Market would be Amazing for the Lowes old space; Its great; A girl can dream…..
When I suggested to West Side Market that they move into the empty, 2-level Duane Reade on Broadway close to Marshall’s, I was told that they do not want to rent a space with 2 floors. It doesn’t work for them. They want only a single-floor space.
So, I seriously doubt that they will be the new renters of that old Duane Reade at Broadway and 69th.