Lidl To Replace Now-Demolished Key Foods In Park Slope

BROOKLYN, NY — After intense debate, developers are keeping their promise to bring an affordable grocery option to a Park Slope development that's replacing Key Foods.

Lidl, a German discount supermarket chain, is set to open its first-ever Brooklyn outpost at 120 Fifth Avenue — a former Key Foods that's currently under development, according to a news release. The market is expected to open at the 180-unit residential project in 2024, the developers, William Macklowe Company and Senlac Ridge Partners, said.

Plans to redevelop Key Foods have been in the works since 2015, with neighbors and developers involved in conversation about the neighborhood's need for affordable housing and groceries.

Plans to demolish the grocery store moved forward after a coalition of local groups — dubbed the Community Stakeholder Group — reached an agreement with the site's owners to bring a low-cost supermarket and around 40 income-restricted units to the project.

Jay Marcus, a non-profit director chosen by the stakeholder group as a spokesperson, said bringing Lidl to the Park Slope site is a "win-win-win" for developers, the supermarket and neighbors.

The Community Stakeholder Group is pleased with the choice of an affordably priced market, Marcus said, noting that Lidl has also "commendably expressed eagerness" to partner with local groups, including the Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District.

Park Slope Councilwoman Shahana Hanif credited neighbors with helping to bring Lidl to the neighborhood, calling the affordably-priced market a "resource for Park Slope and Gowanus residents."

"The selection of Lidl is a win for our community that would not have been possible without the advocacy of the Community Stakeholder Group," she said, also praising now-Comptroller Brad Lander, who helped broker the agreement in his then role as Park Slope Councilman.

Similarly, the real estate developers behind the project said they heard neighbors loud and clear during the course of negotiations and are "thrilled" to replace Key Foods with another low-cost, community-focused grocery store.

"We’re thrilled to be partnering with Lidl to deliver a new, full‐scale supermarket that offers a broad range of quality groceries at affordable prices," said Billy Macklowe, CEO of William Macklowe Company.

Lidl itself also said it was "thrilled" to move to Park Slope and plans to reach out to neighbors and non-profits to support its forthcoming hiring efforts.

The market will bring dozens of well-paying full- and part-time jobs to the neighborhood, all of which include healthcare, according to the news release.

Lidl currently operates over 170 stores on the East Coast, including three in New York City.

Related Article: Park Slope Key Food To Close In August For Redevelopment: Report