Brookfield Town Center Welcomes New Food Emporium Store Marking Downtown Revitalization Milestone

BROOKFIELD, CT — A new chapter in the town’s downtown resurgence begins Saturday morning with the soft opening of the Food Emporium at 7:00 a.m., following receipt of the certificate of occupancy on Friday. Store manager Christopher May stood alongside town officials as the permit was formally handed over, marking the culmination of an initiative first launched in 2015.

“The opening of Food Emporium in the heart of the Town Center District is the testament to everyone who served on the town’s boards and commissions and shared in a vision that was created in 2015 to revitalize our downtown,” said Greg Dembowski, Economic Development Specialist for the town.

The Brookfield location marks a continuation of Food Emporium’s history in the U.S. Originally founded in 1919 as Daitch Crystal Dairies in New York, the company evolved into the Food Emporium format in 1979 under Shopwell Inc., aiming to serve upscale neighborhoods with a mix of everyday and specialty foods.

In Connecticut, the brand expanded during the 1980s and ’90s, with one location opening in New Canaan in 1987. While the company’s corporate lineup has shifted over the years—especially after its former parent, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (“A&P”) filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and sold many Connecticut and New York area stores—its legacy as a local grocer remains.

The new Brookfield store is positioned in the heart of the Town Center District, aligning with municipal goals to strengthen downtown commerce and provide more accessible retail options. A grand-opening celebration is expected in a couple of weeks.

Store hours begin at 7 a.m. Saturday for the soft opening phase; customers are encouraged to check for parking access and pedestrian pathways, as enhancements to the site conclude.