SAUGUS — The former Big Y building along Route 1 will likely be filled by another large grocery chain, multiple local officials said.
Although rumors have swirled in recent weeks about what will occupy the now-empty structure situated in Saugus Plaza Shopping Center, Selectwoman Debra Panetta said that, as of now, no plans have been confirmed with the Board of Selectmen.
“I do believe it’s going to be some sort of large grocery chain, but right now it’s just rumors and hearsay,” Panetta said.
Big Y World Class Market, which opened in September 2016 after the Big Y franchise acquired Hannafords Supermarket, shuttered its doors for good on March 20, much to the dismay of many Saugus residents who mourned the loss of one of the town’s two primary grocery stores.
“It would be nice to have another grocery store in there because that’s what people want,” said Selectman Michael Serino. “But I’m happy if (that spot) is just occupied by another business and creating jobs.”
The chain is just one of several to close at the plaza in recent years, following in the path of Modell’s Sporting Goods, Rite Aid, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
Amanda Wildes, administrative assistant to the vice president of retail operations and customer service at Big Y, told The Item in February that the plaza’s landlord decided not to continue the grocery store’s lease in favor of a new vision for the center.
“The landlord has plans to revitalize the entire shopping center,” Wildes said at the time.
Although he’s also unsure what business may fulfill that vision of revitalization, former Planning Board Chair Peter A. Rossetti, who left his position last month, said the board received indication about six weeks ago from the property owner that a “grocery-type” store may take over the space. However, a company has not been named.
“If (a town) doesn’t have major supermarkets, people tend to go to the smaller convenience stores to pick up immediate needs — a loaf of bread, a quart of milk, that sort of thing,” Rossetti said. “To do their regular shopping, they go outside of Saugus to bigger places, for example Market Basket in Revere or Lynn, but they will do that on a less-frequent basis and it’s much less convenient.”
Rossetti said Big Y’s closing has affected the town and local economy, noting that the opening of another grocery store at the location is likely to have a positive impact on the community.
“Would (another grocery store) be to the advantage of Saugus? Absolutely,” he said. “(That store) would have to pay a building permit fee, and the shopping center itself wouldn’t be able to apply for abatements from taxes because the place would be occupied.
“Plus, if it’s in Saugus, more than likely Saugus people would work there, so it would provide jobs.”
Panetta said she hopes to see the space filled by another grocery store.
“Going grocery shopping, it’s a day out. It’s something to look forward to,” she said. “I don’t do the Peapod (grocery delivery service). I know that a lot of people do and it’s convenient, but a lot of people like to go out and pick their own vegetables and do their own shopping. I’m one of those people.”
