Foodtown Expands to Connecticut

The first Foodtown store in Connecticut has opened.

The store, located at 141 Main St. in New Hartford, Conn., is owned by Michael Fernandez, an independent member of the Allegiance Retail Services cooperative that controls the Foodtown banner. Fernandez is the owner of two Foodtown stores in the New York City borough of Queens. Fernandez acquired the site from the Marandaino family, which previously operated a store under the Marandaino’s banner there, last summer, reports said.

A release from Allegiance this week said the store has been extensively remodeled and transformed into a “state-of-the-art” supermarket.

These enhancements expand product selection throughout the store, while offering lower prices on a variety of products. Shoppers will be welcomed to the store by the new orchard-style produce market, which will include organic produce, fresh cut flowers and seasonal plants.

The New Hartford Foodtown will offer value-priced items under three private label selections: the Foodtown brand, Rancher’s Legend brand Angus beef, and its earth friendly line of Green Way natural and organic products, including a newly available organic chicken line.

Additional features added to the innovative supermarket will be an enhanced selection of fresh prepared foods, including store-made salads and Boar’s Head store-made sandwiches, fresh pasta, expanded international cheeses and fresh baked artisan breads.

“We are excited to have a first-class supermarket to serve the Connecticut shopper. The entire Allegiance team congratulates Mike Fernandez and looks forward to the success of the store,” said John Derderian, president and COO of Allegiance Retail Services, the Iselin, N.J.-based marketing, merchandising and support organization. 

Foodtown's independent owners operate 65 stores under the Foodtown banner in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.