José Luis and Lisset Ureña have opened Compare Fresh at 159 Main St. in downtown Hempstead, New York, joined at the Oct. 30 grand opening by the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce and civic leaders, according to a news release from Associated Supermarket Group.
The store features fresh produce, full-service deli, seafood and meat departments, an in-house bakery, prepared foods, sushi, a juice bar and an extensive international selection, according to ASG.
First full-service supermarket downtown
Village officials said the market is the first full-service supermarket in downtown Hempstead, bringing greater access to healthy and affordable food to an area leaders say has long been underserved, News 12 Long Island reported. Located near Hempstead’s Long Island Rail Road station and major bus hub, the store is positioned to serve both residents and commuters.
The project began three years ago when village officials approached the Ureñas about opening a supermarket beneath a planned apartment development on the site of a former bodega, José Luis Ureña told News 12.
“They approached us with what was coming with the apartment building, and they thought it was a great idea to put a supermarket underneath,” Ureña said. “We thought the same way also.”
Anchoring a downtown revitalization
The store is located within Carman Place, a $122 million mixed-use development with 228 apartments, anchoring the project’s retail portion. The opening was expected to create more than 50 local jobs.
Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. said the opening is part of a larger effort to revitalize downtown Hempstead. “We have received close to maybe $200 million in funding to address our infrastructure, water and sewer, and development here in the Village of Hempstead,” Hobbs told News 12.
About ASG
Associated Supermarket Group provides retail solutions to independently owned grocery stores in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, providing distribution, marketing, merchandising, promotional services and store financing. A relationship with ASG allows independently owned and operated stores to take advantage of the economies of scale normally available only to larger supermarket chains. In addition to Compare Foods and Compare Fresh, ASG’s supermarket banners include Associated, Associated Fresh, Met Foods, Met Fresh, Pioneer and other independently named stores.