Best Market opens in East Rockaway

Family-owned supermarket hosts ribbon cutting

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Residents of East Rockaway will not have to “cross the tracks” — as many residents phrase it — to go grocery shopping any longer now that the long-awaited Best Market has opened. The supermarket held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting last Friday.

“With the opening of Best Market comes another new fresh business to our community,” Chamber of Commerce President Michael B. Hawksby said. “East Rockaway is becoming known for being business-friendly … there are many communities that are fighting for the same growth that we’re experiencing.”

Hawksby added that the trend is no accident. “As a village, you have government working with and listening to the residents. Many times over, a big-box store leaves and there is a big empty space for years. As the landscape of business changes, it’s important to remember that supermarkets are an important factor for residents. We welcome [Best Market] to our community and wish them much success for the future.”

In an 11th-hour auction bid last October, Best Yet Market Inc. bought the building at 492 E. Atlantic Ave., formerly a Pathmark store, after the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company — which owned A&P, Best Cellars, Food Basics, the Food Emporium, Pathmark and Waldbaum’s — announced its second bankruptcy in five years. All 296 of its stores were put up for bid.

Best Market is a private, family-owned company that grew from 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, in 1994, into the first Produce Warehouse. Best Markets offer fresh produce, meat, seafood, deli, dairy and bakery items, as well as traditional groceries. It currently operates 20 stores in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. There are other area Best Markets in East Meadow, Franklin Square and Merrick.

“After Pathmark closed its doors, we were presented with a unique opportunity to provide a healthy, affordable place to shop for the many residents of East Rockaway and surrounding communities,” said Or Raitses, Best Yet Market Inc.’s vice president and general counsel. “The East Rockaway location was in need of a full-service supermarket offering a wide selection of quality food at great prices. We answered that call.”

After the store’s purchase, it remained closed for close to a year. “Whenever we start setting up a new location,” Raitses said, “the entire complex is cleaned top to bottom, and the latest in energy-efficient equipment — refrigeration, lighting, heating/cooling — are installed to keep our environmental footprint as light as possible.”

Besides the physical renovations, Raitses said that the supermarket has expanded its offerings beyond the standard grocery-store fare. “The community can look forward to an all-new variety of ‘grab and go’ food choices [that] include hot meals and sandwiches, [and] health food options like a fresh-made juice bar, build-your-own chopped salad bar, hand-rolled sushi and more,” he said. “We’re doing all we can to be more than your typical supermarket and become a convenient location for residents to look toward for great quality food and value.”

Mayor Bruno Romano said he was happy to see a supermarket open again in the community. “I toured the Best Market the same day as the opening, and I could not believe my eyes,” he said. “I had met the store manager, Chris Meyer, prior to the opening of the store, and he was very excited to launch. We’re so happy and blessed to have Best Market in our village, and I wish them much success.”

“This is a great turnout, and a great thing for East Rockaway,” said former “Sopranos” cast member and Joe Gannascoli, an East Rockaway resident. “It’s great to see East Rockaway starting to build up again.” Gannascoli made a guest appearance at the opening, handing out autographed photos and his line of personalized utility covers.

“It’s a truly great store,” said Michelle Weiner. “I love the fresh chopped salads and sushi. They have an amazing bakery, along with a juice bar and hot meal selections. This is definitely an asset to the village of East Rockaway.”

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