Astor Place Wegmans watch, work-permit edition

Work permits are now on file for renovations of the former Kmart space at the landmarked 770 Broadway. 

Based on the work plan, here are a few takeaways about the future Astor Place Wegmans courtesy of EVG regular Upper West Sider:

• Looks like the subway entrance is safe for now (the area is covered in the No Work in Area portion of the plan). Guess it's covered by landmarks protection. 
• The first step in the process is demolition. Almost everything is being removed, including escalator railings, storefront window displays, bathrooms, flooring and wall coverings. 
• Given that ceiling tiles and the 1990s furnishings are being removed, it seems like the goal is to restore the space to its previous grandeur.

Wegmans signed a 30-year lease last month for what will be the grocer's first Manhattan outpost. It is scheduled to open in the second half of 2023.

Kmart closed in this space after 25 years on July 11. Wegmans had agreed to buy out Kmart's lease to make this deal possible.

1st round of necessary permits OK'd for the incoming Wegmans

The Landmark's Preservation Commission (LPC) has approved what is likely the first of many permits needed for the build-out of the Wegmans site on Astor Place. 

This is a bit of a formality, as no one that we're aware of was speaking out against renovations for the Kmart-replacing grocery at the landmarked 770 Broadway between Eighth Street and Ninth Street. You can read the approved LPC permit here. 

Wegmans signed a 30-year lease last month for what will be the grocer's first Manhattan outpost. It is scheduled to open in the second half of 2023.

Kmart closed in this space after 25 years on July 11. Wegmans had agreed to buy out Kmart's lease to make this deal possible.

H/T Upper West Sider! 

Wegmans makes it sign official on Astor Place, plus other thoughts on the grocer's arrival

As you likely know, Wegmans Food Markets announced it was opening an outpost — the first in Manhattan for the chain — back on Thursday... taking over the two-level space from the just-closed Kmart here at 770 Broadway. 

By Friday, the Wegmans signage was up... the store is expected to be operating by the second half of 2023 on Astor Place ...

The reaction by EVG readers, via comments, emails, DMs, etc., was generally favorable. Some people appreciated the thought of a first-class grocery coming to the area, a welcome alternative to, say, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. A few folks said they found Wegmans to be overrated and overpriced. Some people said they will miss Kmart. And a handful of commenters were turned off by the perceived celebration of a chain. (And for the record, I've never been to a Wegmans, so I don't have an opinion on their stores.)

Meanwhile, retail reporter Warren Shoulberg wrote a piece for Forbes titled "Wegmans In, Kmart Out: But It’s About So Much More Than That."

Among his observations:

• Any talk of the demise of urban living — and urban shopping — can be tossed aside with this Wegmans' move. It validates the premise that younger generations (and older ones too who don't want to move) are going to continue to choose living in a big city as opposed to the suburbs, small towns and all points in between. 

Young families with kids or about to have kids will go that route — as they have for every generation since the end of World War II — but anyone thinking this was the beginning of the end of urban destinations like New York City needs to rethink that theory.

Stay tuned for more analysis about Wegmans over the next two years! 

Wegmans makes it OFFICIAL, will take over the former Kmart space on Astor Place

Wegmans is coming to Astor Place ... the well-regarded grocery chain is taking over the former Kmart space at 770 Broadway, as rumored.

Start spreading the news: We’re coming to Manhattan in 2023! #WegmansManhattan
Learn more: https://t.co/vcOcIRi9d3 pic.twitter.com/zcZHErxqW2

— Wegmans Food Markets (@Wegmans) July 29, 2021

Hot off the press (release): 

The Manhattan Wegmans, scheduled to open in the second half of 2023, will be located at Vornado's 770 Broadway, the former site of the Astor Place Kmart. 

Wegmans opened its first NYC store in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in October of 2019

"We are so excited to bring Wegmans to Manhattan. This is something we've been dreaming about and working toward for a long time," said Colleen Wegman, president and CEO of Wegmans Food Markets. "The community's response to the opening of our Brooklyn store had an excitement and energy that you can only experience in New York City. You can feel that energy returning to the city, and we are thrilled to be a part of it."

Kmart closed without much notice on July 11 after 25 years in business, as we first reported. 

More to come...

Breaking: Grocery store said to be replacing the Kmart on Astor Place; Wegmans mania ahead?

A grocery store is said to be taking over the just-shuttered Kmart space on Astor Place, sources tell The Real Deal. 

Per TRD:

The transaction was a joint negotiation among Transformco, Vornado and the new tenant, sources said. The regional grocer that will be taking over the NoHo location has not been disclosed.

However, those sources said the new tenant will be a "first-class regional grocer." 

A few EVG readers already have the space fitted for a Wegmans, which opened its first NYC space in October 2019 on Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn's Admiral's Row development. 

We shall see...

H/T Upper West Sider! Photo by Stacie Joy