New supermarket opens in New Rochelle, bringing fresh produce and jobs

With the Stop & Shop supermarket near New Roc City closing on Jan. 30, that part of New Rochelle was in danger of becoming a food desert.

New Rochelle Farms made sure that didn't happen.

The new grocery store opened its doors Friday morning , with co-owner Jose Filipe welcoming customers to the 10,000-square-foot space. Without New Rochelle Farms, Filipe said there wouldn't have been a large grocery store from Main Street to at least Lincoln Avenue once Stop & Shop closes.

"The community's really been dying to have a store in the area and we're happy to provide nutritional food at affordable pricing," said Filipe, a Mount Vernon resident. "Everything that a regular supermarket provides and more."

New Rochelle Farms offers fresh and prepared food, a seafood counter, a butcher section, a deli, and salad, juice and coffee bars. Organic, vegan and gluten free options are available. It's located at 465 North Avenue.

The space had been vacant for about seven years.

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Additionally, Filipe opened a laundromat, called Wash and Shop, in October, next to where the grocery store is now open. He's encouraging patrons to throw a load of wash in and then pick up some items for dinner.

"There's synergies in both businesses," Filipe, who's business partner is Jesus Diaz, said. "It's a concept maybe that we're creating."

The supermarket will have a grand opening celebration Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

The new supermarket is part of an effort to revitalize the Lincoln Avenue corridor. The New York State Department of Economic Development gave the city a $10 million grant in 2018 to help connect the corridor with the downtown area.

Councilwoman Yadira Ramos-Herbert, who represents the 3rd District and lives just off Lincoln Avenue, said her neighborhood hasn't had a grocery store with fresh produce that's walkable during the 10 years she's lived there. With several senior housing developments nearby, being able to walk to a quality market is important, she said.

"There's been so much development in our neighborhood, I think the grocery store is a reflection of some of the positive side effects of the all growth that have come to the neighborhood," Ramos-Herbert said. "It's really an exciting time for the Lincoln Avenue corridor."

Mayor Noam Bramson said in a statement the supermarket would serve a "vital need" in the community. New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce President Robert Hayes said the store's opening brings not only fresh food but much needed employment opportunities to the Lincoln Avenue corridor.

"Their unique combination of supermarket and laundromat will invigorate the area," Hayes said.

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