Stefanie Shuman, spokeswoman for Stop & Shop, has announced the chain’s underperforming Islandia location will be closing on Thursday, May 12.
The 69,000-square foot supermarket located in the Islandia Shopping Center off Veterans Memorial Highway employs 79 people, and has been operating for over two decades.
The closing of such a mega-beloved store leaves locals contemplating which grocer they should next take their business to for product necessities.
Let’s start with the closest option. North Shore Farms, located at 1235 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge, is only 1.4 miles from the Islandia Stop & Shop. While the location itself is smaller, many locals prefer the convenience of a smaller store for a more boutique shopping experience. North Shore Farms is known for its cleanliness, cheese variety, fresh fish and produce, delicious bread options, and a butcher section that provides custom orders.
“I love running into North Shore for something quick because it’s small and convenient,” says Kate Llanos, of Smithtown, “They have a prepared food station that makes for a quick dinner when I’m on the run and their soups are delicious too!”
Many specialty items not found at staple supermarket stores can be found at North Shore Farms. While prices run fair for the quality, shoppers are encouraged to check for all great deals being offered. ShopRite of Hauppauge is located 2.8 miles from the Islandia Stop & Shop, at 335 Nesconset Highway. Not typically known for its produce section, ShopRite does carry a wide array of brand options. ShopRite also boasts a generous toiletry section and baby aisle. Their deli offers Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, and the bakery’s online rating is certified “decent.”
“I usually will stop into ShopRite for very particular things that I need,” says Diana Brennin of Mount Sinai. “If you are on weight watchers, they have great options for low-point foods, snacks and even ice cream.”
Also offered at ShopRite: a Price Plus Club where patrons can order online for curbside pickup and contactless delivery. Price Plus Club members save with multiple cash discounts, with exclusive mailings and offers specially created just for you. This way, you don’t have to wait during the winter Can-Can sale to start saving!
Giunta’s Meat Farms, located at 4585 Sunrise Highway in Bohemia, is a 12-minute car ride and only 5.8 miles away from the Islandia shopping center. Meat Farms, like North Shore Farms, is a smaller supermarket and offers much of the same. While some specialty items may be unavailable, Meat Farms will surely meet your expectations for all the around the house staples, and then some.
“I don’t go anywhere else for produce,” says Joanna Gattuso of Farmingville. “Meat Farms has the best produce by far.”
“I have never really found a bad piece of produce at Meat Farms. Everything is always so fresh there. I’ll go to other supermarkets for other things, but all my produce comes from Meat Farms,” she added.
In addition to the produce being exceptionally fresh, there are “specialty” produce items that may be hard to come by at other markets such as bok choy, poblano peppers, papayas, and dragon fruit.
Meat Farms’ cheese variety is also pretty dense. The store’s standouts are Brooklyn Bread, and recently, Bell & Evans chicken.
Don’t sulk because it’s over, smile because it happened. And, more importantly, shop until the heartache stops! With all these local alternatives to Islandia’s departing Stop & Shop at your disposal, you won’t go wrong.
North Shore Farms
1235 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge
ShopRite
335 Nesconset Highway in Hauppauge
Giunta’s Meat Farms
4585 Sunrise Highway in Bohemia
