New Atlantic Avenue Supermarket fills a neighborhood void near 4th Avenue

December 11, 2023 Wayne Daren Schneiderman

Welcome to the neighborhood! Foodtown of Atlantic Avenue officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony this past Saturday morning.
Photos: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle

Share this:

ATLANTIC AVENUE — A major food market just a block from Atlantic Center opened last week to serve downtown residents and Boerum Hill, one of the Brooklyn Brownstone communities abutting the major avenue.

The new supermarket, Foodtown of Atlantic Avenue, opened on Dec. 9, answering, as one community member said, “The clarion call for a major food market at this end of the avenue…”

One of Foodtown’s first customers, a dog, at Foodtown ribbon cutting. — One of Foodtown’s first customers.

Allegiance Retail Services, a prominent retailer-owned grocery co-op, announced the grand opening of the new 4,500-square-foot market, located at 457 Atlantic Ave., via a ribbon cutting ceremony this past Saturday morning.

The market will spotlight organic and natural foods throughout the store.

In addition to fresh meat and seafood counters, customers can expect an extensive produce section, a display case featuring a variety of cheeses, and an in-store bakery providing freshly-baked goods.

From left: Danny Wodzenski, Foodtown’s district manager; and store owner Munzer Elayyan at Foodtown ribbon cutting. — From left: Danny Wodzenski, Foodtown’s district manager; and store owner Munzer Elayyan.

“We pride ourselves in setting up a store that meets the needs of all different demographics and ethnicities — and this neighborhood presents that,” Danny Wodzenski, Foodtown’s district manager, told the Brooklyn Eagle.

“This area has a lot of the big brands like Stop & Shop, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market — but we are a family-owned and operated supermarket, and are able to do things a bit differently, such as reacting to customers’ needs and wants that much quicker,” Wodzenski said. “Some of the bigger companies aren’t able to necessarily do that.

“Our price points are also good, and our promotional prices are amazing, better than most competitors. We are really hoping the community will come out and support us, and spread the word,” he added.

From left: Dean Holmquist, VP operations, Allegiance; Samer Rahman, VP, chief merchandising officer, Allegiance; and Joseph Fantozzi, CFO/interim president, Allegiance at Foodtown ribbon cutting. — From left: Dean Holmquist, VP operations, Allegiance; Samer Rahman, VP, chief merchandising officer, Allegiance; and Joseph Fantozzi, CFO/interim president, Allegiance.

Joseph Fantozzi, CFO/interim president of Allegiance, echoed Wodzenski’s sentiments.

“Family-owned and operated is a big deal,” he said, adding that the main goal of Foodtown Atlantic Avenue is to offer fresh, reasonably-priced, full-shop supermarket capabilities — “and I think this store does it.”

“We have a lot of variety in a smaller, more intimate space, which makes things quicker and easier. With bigger entities that tend to be more crowded, you have to add on another 30 minutes or so to your shopping day. But with us, that’s not an issue at all,” Fantozzi explained.

Customer Mattea James now knows where to go for the organic bread she said she loves so much.

Customer Mattea James now knows where to go for the organic bread she said she loves at Foodtown ribbon cutting. — Customer Mattea James now knows where to go for the organic bread she said she loves.

“When I first saw a new market was opening, I was very excited and had to check it out,” James said. “It’s much closer to where I live, and the prices seem very reasonable. I shop for a lot of organic goods, and they seem to have a bunch here. It’s a very good thing for the community.”

Assembleymember Jo Anne Simon and Councilmember Lincoln Restler at Foodtown ribbon cutting. — Assembleymember Jo Anne Simon and Councilmember Lincoln Restler.

Elected officials Lincoln Restler, councilmember for the 33rd District (representing Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, Fulton Ferry, Greenpoint, Vinegar Hill, and Williamsburg), and Assembleymember Jo Anne Simon, 52nd District (representing Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Park Slope, Boerum Hill, and DUMBO) were both present at the ribbon-cutting as well.

“I’ve lived in Boerum Hill for over 40 years, and Atlantic Avenue used to be very different,” Simon said. “This market has been something that people have advocated for, for a long time.

From left: Brendan Keating, produce field merchandiser, Allegiance; and produce manager Javier at Foodtown ribbon cutting. — From left: Brendan Keating, produce field merchandiser, Allegiance; and produce manager Javier.

“Boerum Hill is nothing if not about family-owned and family-operated businesses — that is something that is consistent with everything that the neighborhood is about.”

“The number one issue facing New York City today is the affordability crisis,” Restler said, adding that it’s not just about having an affordable place to live.

“If you can’t find an affordable place to get groceries in your neighborhood, how do you live there? Here in Boerum Hill, we have been lacking a high-quality affordable grocery store. And while this Foodtown is intimate, it’s got everything you need. And I know it’s going to be a big success and great addition to our neighborhood,” the councilmember added.