As of last week, a happy ending has been written in the Waldbaum’s saga. Bethpage-based Best Market’s bid for the Waldbaum’s on Great Neck Road has been accepted. “The deal should be legal on Friday,” said Best Market representative Alejandra Soto about the Nov. 13 morning court appointment.
This is great news for Great Neck!
The private, family-owned regional supermarket chain currently operates 16 of its 20 stores on Long Island with the remainder throughout the tristate area—and just purchased an additional 10 groceries. “We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve Great Neck,” said Rebecca Philbert, Best Market CEO and president. “We look forward to bringing our fresh, healthy, ‘better for you’ brand to new customers and are confident that they will be excited by the transformation our stores represent.”
Best Market began as a small fruit and vegetable stand operated by Ben Raitses, the father of the current owners. The business expanded into a storefront produce store and later into the first Produce Warehouse in 1994.
Today, in addition to traditional grocery items, Best Market focuses on fresh foods, especially produce, meat, seafood, deli, dairy and bakery items at reasonable prices and prides itself on its values: family, affordability, freshness and community.
“The family-owned and built company takes great pride in what they offer their customer,” said Soto. “They focus on fresh, healthy food for their customers and go out of their way to keep their team members happy. Each store has the feel of family ownership.”
According to Soto, each new store will be assessed and renovated to comply with Best Market standards. The acquisition of 10 new stores represents an enormous investment by the private company so, of course, it wants to transition the new stores as quickly as possible.
The neighborhood is thrilled. Within days of posting the story on GreatNeckRecord.com, it received 300 Likes. Here’s what residents had to say:
We have regularly gone to the New Hyde Park store. Welcome to Great Neck.
We expect you to be as good here!!!
—Norman
I was just there yesterday, and I thought it would be a great fit in Great Neck. This one will be soooo convenient.
—Arianna
They have the best bakery, Italian breads, pastries and cheeses! Hope that parking lot can handle it.
—Daryl
A kosher aisle or two will be a great fit for Great Neck as well. Walbaum’s had a few aisles for the Jewish holidays and it would be nice to continue that, especially once you are there doing your every day shopping, so you don’t have to drive/park somewhere else for a jar of matzo ball soup or a Tam Tam cracker. lol. Looking forward. 🙂
—Barbara
The Great Neck Record and GreatNeckRecord.com will continue to update readers on the scheduled opening date as information becomes available. Please continue to send your thoughts to sarbitaljacoby@antonmediagroup.com.
For the latest on Best Market, read the updated story.
