Food Store Planned For Binghamton’s North Side

A full-service grocery store is expected to open in a Binghamton neighborhood that's been called a "food desert."

Two developers today announced plans to establish an independent store called Grocery City Market.

Jim Kilcy of Binghamton and Jim Mailloux of Syracuse say the 10,000 to 14,000 square-foot grocery store is to be located in the old Big Lots Plaza on West State Street.

The site was abandoned when Big Lots moved its Binghamton store to the Price Chopper Plaza off Glenwood Avenue.

The developers say the new market will carry fresh produce, dairy products, meats and other food staples.

Broome County took over the property several months ago after taxes were not paid by the previous owner.

The county Land Bank is expected to work with the Binghamton Local Development Corporation to seek a $500,000 state grant for site preparation.

The grocery store is one element of a planned $3.5 million redevelopment of the 50,000-square-foot commercial building. The property in the past has housed a supermarket, a drug store and a bar, among other businesses.