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Plans are advancing for the Electric City Community Grocery to open a new store in Schenectady by the end of 2026. The community-owned grocery has signed a lease to occupy 15,000 square feet in the Wedgeway Building, located at the corner of State Street and Erie Boulevard. This building, which has been undergoing significant renovations, will house the first grocery store in downtown Schenectady in over two decades.
The project is supported by $1 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, authorized by the U.S. Treasury. Construction is set to begin this spring, with a soft opening anticipated later in the year. The store is expected to create between 22 and 36 full-time jobs.
Electric City Community Grocery, which began as Electric City Food Co-op, has over 1,330 member-owners. The co-op aims to provide affordable food while supporting local producers. It will also participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program, which enhances the value of SNAP benefits for fresh produce purchases.
Eric Johnson, Board President of Electric City Community Grocery, stated, "This milestone reflects years of planning and collaboration among our cooperative, the City of Schenectady, Schenectady County, Metroplex, Cass Hill Development, and our growing membership."
The Wedgeway Building, which dates back to the 1880s, is part of a $20 million redevelopment project by Cass Hill Development. The building is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Metroplex, the county redevelopment agency, is collaborating with the grocery to provide parking for shoppers on Liberty Street.