Pittsburgh-based Salem’s Market and Grill will purchase a shopping plaza in Pittsburgh’s Hill District where its ownership hopes to open a grocery store by the end of the year.
The city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority last week unanimously voted in favor of selling the Centre Avenue property that formerly housed a Shop ‘n Save.
Salem’s Market and Grill is purchasing the site for $1.9 million.
The family-run grocery store, which operates in the city’s Strip District, had previously planned to open their Hill District location last summer. It pushed back the opening date because of supply chain shortages and delays.
The original plan had been for the grocer to lease the site from the URA, but the local business instead reached an agreement with the authority to purchase the site and honor current lease terms with other tenants in the plaza.
When the URA board in April approved a preliminary plan to sell the property to Salem’s Market and Grill, officials said the measure would give the local business better control over its operating costs compared to leasing.
The URA acquired the plaza in 2019, according to Tom Link, chief development officer with the URA. The authority has since been working to fill the vacancy left by Shop ‘n Save with another grocery store, as Shop ‘n Save’s departure left many in the Hill District without easy access to fresh groceries.
Salem’s Market and Grill is planning to open a 30,000-square-foot store that will sell groceries, bakery items, meats and prepared foods, according to plans presented to the URA board.
“This project really, truly defines private-public partnership,” Salem’s Market and Grill owner Abdullah Salem said. “We’ve all joined together for the benefit of the Hill District community.”
The new store is expected to bring more than 60 jobs to the neighborhood, according to information provided by the URA, and is part of a $7 million redevelopment project at the plaza.
“This is a significant commitment by a local small business,” Link said.
Salem said he hopes to open the new grocery store by the end of the year.
“We’re excited to begin work as soon as the processes are complete,” he said. “We’re looking forward to serving the Hill District community very soon.”
A community meeting is scheduled for Hill District residents Tuesday to learn more about the grocery store. City Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle’s office and the URA are hosting the meeting starting at 6 p.m. at Warren United Methodist Church on Centre Avenue.
People can register for the meeting online.
The meeting will serve as an opportunity for residents to hear updates on the store and voice their preferences.
