Former St. James Square renamed ShopRite Square
Niskayuna’s efforts to revitalize and redevelop St. James Square got a boost with the announcement that supermarket chain ShopRite would be locating at the shopping center.
Schenectady County and Niskayuna officials announced on Wednesday, May 18, that a ShopRite would move into the former Farm Fresh supermarket location. The site has been vacant since 2004, after Farm Fresh closed shop after six months. Grand Union left the site in 2001 when the company went bankrupt.
This is great news for Niskayuna and Schenectady County, said Chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature Judith Dagostino. `Filling the vacant space at St. James Square has been a top priority for our economic development team.`
The new tenant has also prompted a change of names for the plaza: St. James Square will now be known as ShopRite Square. The ShopRite project is a $12 million endeavor, which took a year to finalize after ongoing talks with county and town officials. A complete refurbishment and renovation of the 55,000-square-foot space will be take place. Upgrades to the surrounding parking area, entrance roads and lighting will also be done to enhance the shopping center.
Supervisor Joe Landry said ShopRite’s announcement has already spurred additional interest in the square, and he praised Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen for his help in finding prospective tenants.
`There is a lot more retail tenants looking at the site right now so we think this is going to spur a lot of development over there,` said Landry.
The community focus ShopRite presented to town officials played a role in the decision to welcome the company.
`We were very impressed with ShopRite,` said Landry. `They wanted to talk to us about our community and show us what they do with their community.`
Councilwoman Julie McDonnell said ShopRite showed town officials other community initiatives it has been involved in.
`They seemed like a very solid, community-orientated organization, and that is what impressed us,` said McDonnell.
Landry was also impressed that Dave Figurelli, president and chief operating officer of ShopRite Supermarkets, personally came down to talk with the board.
`What also was impressive was the president of the company would take the time to come up here and have lunch with the Town Board, talk to us, want to meet us and ask a lot of questions about the community,` said Landry.
Around 300 jobs are expected to be created with the store, said Landry, with around three-quarters of them being full-time. In addition to groceries and produce, the store will offer a bakery, fresh meat and seafood, full-service floral department, pharmacy and gourmet prepared foods.
`We are very pleased to provide ShopRite’s commitment to customer service, variety, value and low prices to this new location and thrilled to be bringing ShopRite to Schenectady County,` said Figurelli in a statement. `We look forward to partnering with the communities we serve and becoming your neighborhood ShopRite.`
ShopRite currently has 29 other stores in the state and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wakefern Food Corp. Columbia Development and BBL Construction will work with ShopRite on store and site renovations.“
