Two Bridges Neighborhood Council Announces Pathmark Press Event

With less than two months until Pathmark officially closes its doors at 227 Cherry Street, community organizations and local politicians are jumping into the fray to add their two cents. The Lower East Side supermarket, while often a cause for headaches, is nevertheless a lifeblood for the neighborhood. Many are worried about losing a key staple while a developer assigns a new vision to the low-rise lot, which could take upwards of five years.

Two Bridges Neighborhood Council announced a press event for this Wednesday with the intention to “express the neighborhood’s concern about the loss of this important resource to elected officials, policy makers, the Pathmark Corporation and the developer; and to develop an interim solution until a permanent affordable supermarket and pharmacy is re-established in this location.”

In the late 70s and early 80s, Two Bridges Neighborhood Council and Settlement Housing Fund led the fight to bring a full-service supermarket to our neighborhood, resulting in the construction of a Pathmark Supermarket on lot 8 of the Two Bridges Urban Renewal Area. The 24-hour Pathmark Supermarket & Pharmacy have served our community for almost 30 years (1983 to 2012).

On September 28, 2012, Pathmark announced its intention to close in late December 2012, having sold its lease to a developer that will redevelop the site. The size and nature of this new development has yet to be disclosed. While we understand that Pathmark has reserved the right of first refusal to operate a supermarket in the new development once it is completed in the next two to five years, in the interim our neighborhood will be left with fewer affordable food options, with no guarantee that an affordable market will relocate in the new building. The loss of affordable fresh food options in this largely low-income neighborhood is a crisis demanding an immediate response.

“We are committed to working with our elected officials, the Pathmark Corporation, and the new developer in resolving this dire situation for the benefit of the Two Bridges families and seniors.” says Victor Papa, President/Director of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, Inc.

WHO: Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, elected officials, community leaders and residents of the Two Bridges Neighborhood

WHAT: To express the neighborhood’s concern about the loss of this important resource to elected officials, policy makers, the Pathmark Corporation and the developer; and to develop an interim solution until a permanent affordable supermarket and pharmacy is re-established in this location.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 10th, 2012 at 11:00AM

WHERE: 227 Cherry St. (In front of the vacant lot)

WHY: Two Bridges Neighborhood Council is committed to protecting and enhancing access to fresh and affordable food in the Two Bridges Neighborhood.