Office of the Mayor

WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND

Mayor Baldelli-Hunt Discloses City Moving Closer to Bringing Full-Service Supermarket to Downtown Area

WOONSOCKET, R.I.: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt and Planning and Development Director Michael Debroisse have announced that the City of Woonsocket is moving closer to bringing a full-service supermarket to the downtown area. The officials said that after a year-long collaboration with the National Supermarket Association (NSA), a prospective supermarket retailer has been identified, and a potential site has been chosen.

The NSA represents the interests of roughly 600 supermarkets in New York and other urban cities along the East Coast, the Mid-Atlantic Region, and Florida. The association supports entrepreneurs who open mid-sized supermarkets in areas abandoned by large chains.

The City of Woonsocket was referred to the NSA by Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Matos as a potential location for one of its member retailers. Multiple conversations and site visits have taken place between the NSA and the administration over the past year, leading to interest from a supermarket retailer and negotiations on a suitable spot within downtown Woonsocket.

Mayor Baldelli-Hunt expressed excitement about the opportunity to bring a full-service supermarket to Woonsocket, stating, "They will fill a great need, and we will do everything possible to bring them here and help make them successful." The Mayor added, "I want to thank Director Debroisse and his department for all their hard work in getting us to this point."

Planning and Development Director Michael Debroisse praised the NSA for their collaboration and commitment to bringing a full-service supermarket to Woonsocket and said that his department looks forward to working with the NSA and the prospective supermarket retailer to move this project to the finish line. 

William Rodriguez, National Past President of the NSA and the New England Chapter Initiative offered, "We rise by lifting others, and that is our motto. Since its inception, the NSA has been a pivotal force in eliminating food deserts within communities in need, which in turn has revitalized cities."

Mayor Baldelli-Hunt also indicated that her administration remains committed to attracting a chain supermarket to the Barry Field property.