Fresh Grocer in Oakdale to close after 17 months

The Fresh Grocer location at Lighthouse Commons on Montauk Highway in Oakdale was expected to close in about two weeks, a move that would shutter the store roughly 17 months after it opened. The supermarket, which launched in August 2024 as the chain’s first New York location, will leave a gap in local grocery capacity and add to a pattern of turnover at the Montauk Highway shopping center.

The store is locally owned and operated by the Thompson family, who also run ShopRite locations on Long Island. The Fresh Grocer’s relatively short run came amid persistent competition from nearby discount grocers, including Lidl and ALDI, and follows repeated tenant changes at the Lighthouse Commons strip mall. Those market pressures appear to have made sustaining the new-format store difficult in this location.

For Oakdale residents, the immediate effect will be a loss of one neighborhood supermarket within easy reach for many households. Shoppers who relied on this store will likely shift trips to Lidl, ALDI, or other grocery options in the area, potentially changing travel patterns, shopping frequency, and household food budgets. Seniors, residents without reliable transportation, and workers at the store face the sharpest short-term impacts: the closure will displace employees and reduce convenient access for customers who valued a closer store location.

This closure also fits wider trends in the grocery sector and local retail real estate. Discount chains have expanded aggressively in many suburban markets, exerting price pressure on smaller or mid-sized chains and prompting site churn in strip centers. Frequent tenant turnover at Lighthouse Commons raises concerns for municipal planners and property owners about sustained commercial vacancies, lower property tax collections, and the need to attract stable anchors that meet local demand.

Local officials and community groups should monitor food access indicators and employment impacts as the transition unfolds. For residents, alternatives exist but differ in assortment and price structure; shoppers may need to compare offerings and consider delivery or curbside pickup where available. Property owners will be tasked with filling the vacancy amid a competitive retail landscape that favors low-cost formats and destination shoppers.

The takeaway? Expect changes in where and how Oakdale residents buy staples, and keep an eye on job postings for displaced workers. Our two cents? If this closure affects your household, check nearby discount grocers for staples, explore delivery options, and reach out to town employment services for help with job transitions.