On Dec. 11, Lidl opened its first two stores on Long Island, New York.
The West Babylon store is located at 725 Sunrise Highway; the Center Moriches store is at 821 Montauk Highway.
ShopOne Centers REIT Inc. an owner, operator and manager of grocery-anchored shopping centers, is owner of the Hubbards Commons shopping center in West Babylon, where Lidl opened in a 36,000-s.f. space previously occupied by Best Market.
“We are extremely pleased to add Lidl, one of the most recognizable grocery brands in the world, to our growing portfolio,” said Bob Dake, EVP of leasing for ShopOne. “The transition from Best Market to Lidl is a significant investment in the West Babylon community, providing adde
d value and an enhanced shopping experience. Lidl is a best-in-class grocer, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with them as they continue to grow their footprint in the United States.”
The Lidl location at Hubbards Commons will offer fresh produce, meat, freshly baked goods and a wide array of household products. The grocery store chain has repeatedly won national and international recognition for its shopping experience.
Hubbards Commons is 98 percent leased and features a mix of brands including Lidl, Walgreens, Orangetheory Fitness and Subway.
According to local news reports, snow was coming down for the Center Moriches opening, but people still were lined up outside for the doors to open. The space formerly was filled by a Waldbaums store.
Lidl entering the Long Island marketplace is a great example of a retail food industry in transition. It seems if you have been out of retail food for “5” years you could now return to an industry you no longer recognized.
What a time to experience retail!
Joel Albrizio