By Bill Parry
A new supermarket is slated to open up in Sunnyside Friday morning.
C-Town, a large and fully renovated store, is replacing a Foodtown, which ceased operations at 41-25 Greenpoint Ave. in December.
“The neighbors are extremely excited because it was such a long wait for them,” said the store’s manager, Victor Batista.
He noted that many Sunnyside residents are elderly and have a hard time getting to an Associated supermarket three blocks away.
Workers were stocking shelves Tuesday morning with brand-name groceries and the store’s own Krasdale label.
“We’re also trying to incorporate more organic products and more international foods as well,” Batista said.
The manager added that the store’s new facade, equipment and flooring represent an upgrade over Foodtown, whose contentious closing occurred last winter when the property owner, Maysa Realty, refused to renegotiate the lease and allowed it to expire.
Nearly 30 long-term employees, mostly local residents, were reassigned to other locations in other boroughs, according to Foodtown.
None of those former workers have applied for positions in the new supermarket, according to Batista who said, “I have met people who used to work here. If anyone were to come looking for work, we’d definitely consider them.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
