A large swath of Harlem has been without a grocery store since early 2021, but the wait is finally over.
Harlem’s—and also Manhatttan’s—first Lidl food market is set to open in the old Best Market space at 2187 Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 118th Street on Wednesday, February 23.
The ribbon cutting is planned for 8am, and there will be free samples and giveaways—the first 100 customers will receive gift cards ranging from $5 to $100.
The German discount grocer, which spent more than $5 million upgrading the multi-story space, will offer private label items (many organic and gluten-free), plus produce, bread and pastries made in its bakery, fresh flowers and much more.
Hiring notices at the Harlem location first appeared in the windows last summer, and a spokesperson for Lidl had told TCU the store was aiming for an opening in the "late fall," but the period in question came and went.
The grocery chain acquired the bi-level Harlem location of Best Market as part of a larger acquisition of 27 Best Market stores in 2018.
Yea....Right! Late Fall 2033!😒