Newly Minted Foodtown on Vanderbilt Avenue Celebrating Its Re-Opening This Week

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Vanderbilt Avenue's new Foodtown will be celebrating its grand re-opening this Friday, Oct. 13.

The business, formerly a Met Foodmarket, is still located at 632 Vanderbilt Ave., the same location it was at when co-owners Frank Waddi an Abdul Jawad bought it in 1983.

Manager Shadi Waddi, Frank's son, said that in recent years, the business was having increasing problems getting products from Met in a timely fashion, which is why the owners decided to join Foodtown and remodel the business.

Waddi said that 40,000 new items are now stocked, while the store has added 4,000 square feet of retail space.

It's more than tripled its dairy selection, gone from five doors to 12 doors of ice cream, and from 30 to 80 feet of meat, Waddi said, as well as adding numerous new produce and organic options.

Waddi also said the store's staff has increased from about 35 to 45. The owners wouldn't share salary levels for the workers, but said they make a good wage, get time-and-a-half for overtime, and vacation days. (Frank Waddi said employees don't receive health insurance because it's not within the store's budget.)

Friday's re-opening celebration will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will include free samples, a D.J., and an appearance by Public Advocate Letitia James, according to the owners.

Frank Waddi praised the Prospect Heights neighborhood, explaining, "The diversity of it, that's what we love. I couldn't ask for a better place to be in New York City."

He did note, however, that the store's rent recently went up 50 percent — though he seemed confident Foodtown's business would be strong enough to meet its expenses.

Pictured at top: Abdul Jawad, left, and Frank Waddi. Photo by John V. Santore