By Bill Parry
A huge international supermarket has opened in Corona. Great Wall opened its latest location last week at 59-16 99th St. along the eastern side of LeFrak City, the massive residential complex that currently houses more than 14,000 people.
Great Wall opened its first market in Elmhurst in 2000 and has since expanded to a chain of 11 stores in the Northeast, with two in Flushing. To celebrate the newest 30,000-square-foot store, the company pulled out all the stops.
“We had ourselves a grand opening ceremony with 30 dignitaries including Congresswoman Grace Meng,” Great Wall General Manager Edward Wu said. Before the ribbon was cut there was entertainment provided by Chinese drummers along with dancing dragons.
“It took us three years to completely renovate the space,” Wu said. “The whole design from the beginning was ultra-modernized. We specialize in fresh produce and our seafood and meat departments are the largest of any store around. We also have our own brand so we offer high-quality products at much lower prices.”
Great Wall also knew that Corona is the most diverse neighborhood in the city.
“That’s why in addition to our American and Asian products we have a Latino food section, even Russian,” Wu said.
His store is also providing more than 60 jobs for workers from the neighborhood, many from LeFrak.
“We’re fully staffed at the moment, but people can drop off their resumés in case we hire more,” Wu said.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
