Monday, February 9, 2026

New signs up as Metro Acres Market nears opening on 1st Avenue and 5th Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Metro Acres Market is nearing opening at the southwest corner of Fifth Street and First Avenue, taking over the former Rite Aid space. 

Owner Ennis Said — pictured below (left) with the store's contractor — is targeting an opening in early March, though he says it could even happen by the end of February if everything stays on schedule.
Friday marked a visible step forward: the old Rite Aid signage came down, and new Metro Acres Market signs arrived. Said noted that awnings are next.
During a walkthrough of the space, Said pointed out plans for a deli counter, a possible salad bar area, and sections dedicated to prepared foods. There's also a kitchen in the basement, and the market will include a full-service meat department.
More soon as the opening date comes into focus. 

And in case you were wondering: the Rite Aid letters aren't headed to a pharmacy hall of fame or a signage museum. Workers were preparing to toss them in the trash.
The East Village Rite Aid closed last August. The 63-year-old pharmacy chain filed for bankruptcy twice in two years before shutting down entirely. 
 
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6 comments:

  1. Carol from East 5th StreetFebruary 9, 2026 at 11:08 PM

    Am I the only one who has a problem with their expansion onto sidewalk space?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 10, 2026 at 1:34 PM

    I am glad they are moving quickly with the construction as we really need a new supermarket in the neighborhood. The only other market in the area is Wegmans which is more of a high-end gourmet food market which sells quality foods but is far too expensive to go to regularly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Technology ArtistFebruary 12, 2026 at 5:35 PM

    There’s a Key Food on Avenue A, Union Market at Houston and Avenue A, Whole Foods on Houston and 14th Street, Trader Joe’s on 14th Street, and Westside Market on 3rd Avenue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnieFebruary 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM

      I have no idea about Union Market or Trader Joe's as I don't like their brand products, but all the others are EXPENSIVE.

      Delete
  4. Mark HardisonMarch 14, 2026 at 8:54 PM

    Had a fun time at the opening today. Didn't win any of the raffle prizes but fun seeing the mothers with kids snag televisions!!

    ReplyDelete

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