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Sayville Plaza’s big comeback continues.
According to Newsday, Italian specialty grocery store Uncle Giuseppe’s is set to open in the Bohemia shopping center along Sunrise Highway.
The report states that the Melville-based company plans to occupy the former Babies “R” Us space at 5181 Sunrise Highway by late 2025. Greater Long Island has reached out for further comment.
The space is currently being used for Spirit Christmas, a new seasonal pop-up from the same folks behind Spirit Halloween. Learn more about it here.
Uncle Giuseppe’s, which operates 13 locations across New York and New Jersey, has been in expansion mode as of late. Recent announcements include plans to take over a former Stop & Shop location in Greenvale. The company also opened a store in Tinton Falls, N.J., last year.
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Founded in 1998, the full-service specialty grocery market first opened at 2330 Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow. Long Island is now home to Uncle Giuseppe’s locations in Smithtown, Port Jefferson Station, Port Washington, North Babylon, Melville, and Massapequa.
With this latest lease agreement, Uncle G’s will help bring Sayville Plaza closer to full occupancy after years of vacancies. The shopping center was left largely empty following the departure of Kmart in January 2020.
At its peak, the plaza hosted popular retailers such as Kmart, Pier 1 Imports, Office Max, Borders Bookstore, Sports Authority, Modell’s, and Babies “R” Us. However, bankruptcies and mergers forced these stores to shutter by early 2020, leaving the plaza with vast empty storefronts.
The plaza’s resurgence though has been fueled by the arrival of Aldi, At Home, Floor & Decor, JOANN Fabric and other reputable retailers. A Bob’s Discount Furniture store is also planned for the plaza.
Top: Photo from Uncle G’s grand opening in North Babylon back in 2021. (Credit: Facebook)
