TROY, N.Y — An empty building in August, 558 River St. has shelves, coolers, and a brand new sign marking Bargain Grocery’s new location in the North Central neighborhood.
Though it plans to open in August, local, state and national leaders recently met in the freshly renovated space to discuss the store’s importance and mission and to thank all the parties who opened the new glass doors for the development. “I can’t tell how grateful we are for the work that each and every one of you are doing,” Lt. Gov.
Antonio Delgado said at the press conference. “Thank you for being an inspiration.” Bargain Grocery is just the first part of the $75 million Flanigan Square project funded in part by the State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
The other two projects are mixed-use housing (with 51% designated for low-income) and commercial space across the street and a senior housing facility in the kitty-corner empty parking lot. First Colombia is developing all three spaces and Founder and President, Kevin Bette, said that Bargain Grocery’s innovative challenges are what made the project fun. What they’re trying to do, he said, is tackle one of the most pressing problems facing Troy and the North Central Neighborhood.
The area is a designated food desert — areas where people have little or no access to large grocery stores or healthy food and typically rely on convenience stores. Bargain Grocery, said Founder Pastor Mike Servello, is needed in Troy and in the ne.