Lidl, the supermarket chain that purchased more than 20 Best Markets on Long Island, said it is searching for potential locations on the peninsula to replace the Best Market that will soon be closing in Great Neck Plaza.
The Germany-based supermarket chain explained on Twitter why it was not replacing the Best Market in the Gardens at Great Neck Plaza, but gave some hope to those who wish to retain a larger-scale supermarket in the peninsula.
“This store is scheduled to close this month; this decision was made due to size and leasing requirements,” Lidl’s U.S. Twitter account said last week. “Our team is looking at other sites in the Great Neck region; however, we have not yet identified a suitable location and it is too early to offer further detail.”
The Best Market in the Gardens at 40 Great Neck Road is scheduled to close within the next two weeks, according to Jay Corn, vice president of the Great Neck Plaza Business Improvement District.
Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen said he offered the village’s support to the building’s landlord along with Lidl, which has replaced a majority of Best Markets throughout New York and New Jersey, and “offered the good offices of the village” to retain a supermarket in the building.
Rosen said conversations are ongoing between Kaplan Equities, which oversees tenants in the shopping center, and Lidl on a potential solution but did not wish to disclose the status of the discussions.
“The village hopes that they will be successful in their negotiations,” Rosen said in a phone interview in late January. “It is an important location for a supermarket and we maintain ready to assist them.”
Efforts to reach a representative of Best Market and Kaplan Equities were unavailing.
Lidl purchased 27 New Jersey and New York Best Market stores, 24 of which are located on Long Island, in January 2019 for an undisclosed price. The company said in early January that it will remodel 12 Best Market stores on Long Island that will be converted to Lidl stores this year, three of which will begin undergoing renovations in February.
After the Best Market store shuts its doors, the main grocery stores on the peninsula will be Everfresh Supermarket on Middle Neck Road, Shop Delight on Welwyn Road, H Mart on Great Neck Road, North Shore Farms in Lake Success, Badshah Farmers Market on Lakeville Road and Associated Supermarkets on Middle Neck Road.
