Big Y To Open New Store In Space Considered By Stew Leonard's In Orange

ORANGE, CT — Big Y announced Wednesday plans to open a new store at an Orange shopping center that was recently under consideration for a new Stew Leonard's location.

According to a news release, Big Y will open a new supermarket at Colonial Commons, bringing a 53,000-square-foot store to the shopping center and expanding access to the grocery chain's fresh food, service and value for local shoppers.

The store, located at 200 Indian River Road, is expected to open in spring 2027.

The release lists New York City-based leasing agent Brixmor Property Group as the shopping center's owner.

"Big Y is a fantastic addition to Colonial Commons and the Orange community," Charles Davis, vice president of leasing for Brixmor Property Group, said in a news release. "Grocery anchors are essential to the vitality of open-air shopping centers, generating daily trips while serving as a convenient resource for local households. Big Y's commitment to quality, service and community aligns well with our long-term vision for the center."

In the announcement, Big Y also emphasized the company's strong presence and commitment to the south central Connecticut region.

"Orange is more than a new store, it's a continuation of the story we've built with our family of Big Y locations across Connecticut," Mathieu D'Amour, vice president of real estate and development for Big Y, said in a news release. "We're committed to creating meaningful career opportunities, deepening local connections and delivering a shopping experience that's convenient, personalized and rooted in the communities we serve."

Big Y currently operates a large number of stores in Connecticut, including nearby locations in Derby, Shelton, Milford, Stratford, Monroe and Branford.

The Orange shopping center had recently been under consideration by popular grocery chain Stew Leonard's as a location for the company's long-awaited fourth Connecticut store.

In November, a Stew Leonard's spokesperson confirmed that efforts to open a new store at the Colonial Commons shopping plaza remained stalled due to proposed rent costs.

Most Orange residents are already familiar with the concept of Stew Leonard's opening a new store in their town.

The family-owned grocery chain's last public attempt to open a Connecticut store revolved around a planned location at 161 Marsh Hill Road in Orange.

The Stew Leonard's team tried to get the Orange store approved for nearly 15 years, but the effort was ultimately thwarted by a group of concerned residents who filed various legal motions that kept the store's future tied up in the courts.

At one point, it seemed Stew Leonard's might claim victory after winning town approval and a court decision, however a last-minute appeal granted to residents opposing the project derailed the plans once again.

After legal fees began to mount, the Leonard family turned their attention to expanding outside of Connecticut, building stores in New York and later New Jersey. Since then, no plans for a fourth Connecticut store have been announced.

The last time Stew Leonard's opened a new Connecticut store was in Newington in the spring of 2007, nearly 18 years ago.