Plans to bring Lidl to Yonkers leaves kosher deli worried about its future

Lidl is proposing to replace the empty storefronts at the Central Plaza Shopping Center off Central Park Avenue in Yonkers with a 29,000-square-foot facility.

Lee Danuff and Nadia Galindo

Jul 6, 2023, 8:46 PM

Updated 457 days ago

Share:

Plans to bring an international supermarket chain to Westchester is leaving the future of one business in question.
Lidl is proposing to replace the empty storefronts at the Central Plaza Shopping Center off Central Park Avenue in Yonkers with a 29,000-square-foot facility.
The proposal also includes a storefront that is occupied by Epstein's Kosher Delicatessen.
"We are investing, printing out new menus and fixing up the store, why would we do all that if they were going to tear us down?" asks Charles Cohen, manager of Epstein's Kosher Delicatessen.
Cohen says the delicatessen has been around for 30 years and that it's news to him that Lidl wants to replace their storefront with the entrance to their supermarket.
Lidl's application for a special use permit went before the city's planning board last month.
Plans show that the supermarket would occupy the closing David's Bridal, Avenue and Marshalls Shoe Shop, which are closed - and Epstein's.
Cohen says the owner of Epstein's just signed a 10-year lease.
"Why would they sign a new lease?" asks Cohen.
News 12 reached out to the property owner and manager, who could not explain how this proposal will impact Epstein's.
Documents submitted by Lidl to the planning board show the proposal also includes demolishing the shuttered Modell's for a future fast-food drive-thru.
Lidl's proposal has not yet officially been approved. It will be discussed at the next planning board meeting scheduled for July 12.