Unsurprisingly, Latina’s in the Stuyvesant Plaza at 238 Elmwood is on its way out. The Niagara Falls wholesaler busted into the highly competitive grocery retail business and promptly fell on its face. Stores in Orchard Park and Clarence recently closed and the Elmwood Avenue location will be shuttered on Saturday.
Latina Foodland Fresh Market opened with much promise two years ago and was almost immediately criticized for poor selection, a drab interior and mediocre service. The store closing leaves the 65,767 sq.ft. plaza 2/3 empty and 30 employees out of work.
Benchmark is said to be already talking to another food retailer about taking the space. So much for redevelopment. The prime two-acre site, half of which is parking, will apparently remain as-is for the foreseeable future.
Side Note: For any of you armchair developers out there - what sort of project would best benefit the footprint? Although talks are in the works with another food-related business, BRO is interested to hear from you... what do you envision taking place at this site?