The wheels of commerce are slowly beginning to turn anew in the bucolic coastal community of Clinton.
On Thursday Big Y Foods Inc. announced plans to open a World Class Market in the Indian River Shops at 11 Killingworth Turnpike. The new store will be approximately 55,000 square feet within the soon-to-be-redeveloped 180,000-square-foot retail center being built on the site of the former Morgan School.
The new store will be the Springfield, Mass.-headquartered supermarket chain’s second store in Middlesex County, joining its Old Saybrook store. It is Big Y’s 72nd store overall within its Massachusetts and Connecticut service footprint.
The shopping center is being redeveloped and marketed by Greylock Property Group LLC of Mystic, with an anticipated opening in 2021. Indian River Shops at Clinton is the proposed redevelopment of 37 acres that served as home of the Morgan School for 65 years. Along with the Big Y store the development will include 65,800 square feet of tenant space, two or three restaurants and a 90-room hotel.
Big Y says the new Clinton store will employ more than 150 full- and part-time workers. The company’s marketing message emphasizes superior customer service, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, fresh sushi, ample gluten-free and organic items along with other locally sourced fare.
“We are excited to announce this addition to our Connecticut community of stores,” said Big Y President and CEO Charles D’Amour in announcing the new store. “We look forward to bringing Big Y’s world-class service, quality and selection closer to shoppers in Clinton and surrounding communities.”
Big Y Foods Inc. is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. The company operates 83 locations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut including 71 supermarkets, Fresh Acres Market, Table & Vine Fine Wines & Liquors and 10 Big Y Express gas and convenience stores. It employs some 12,000 workers in all.
The project will also provide a number of opportunities for local contractors during the construction phase, the developers say.
