Citing the Franklin Avenue revitalization as a major factor in their decision to come to Garden City, the management of Kings Super Market has announced that they will be opening their Garden City store shortly after Labor Day.

A New Jersey company, Kings will be opening their first two stores outside of New Jersey here on Long Island, one at 840 Franklin Avenue and the other in Merrick. Kings Super Markets has been serving New Jersey for 64 years, and after the two Long Island stores open the chain will consist of 27 markets.

"We searched very carefully for just the right sites for our expansion beyond New Jersey and we believe we have found them in Garden City and Merrick," said Alan C. Levitan, president and chief executive officer of Kings. "In fact, the entire Long Island market, with its residents' interest in exceptional fresh produce, restaurant-quality prepared meals for the home, top-notch customer service, and full-serve catering, is exactly the type of community that Kings has been serving so well and so long in New Jersey. We are particularly proud to be able to locate in and reinforce the concept of downtown shopping and hometown service and quality."

Levitan explained that the approximately 9,000 square ft. Franklin Avenue store will be packed with products that Kings feels is right for the community. Well known for their perishable items, such as prepared foods, Kings will also have the everyday items such as Tide or Heinz ketchup. Kings will have prepared foods that are already cooked and just need to be heated up by the consumer, as well as prepared meats, seafood or poultry that have already been marinated or stuffed and just need to be cooked by the consumer. The store will also feature a deli, a café, and sushi bar. In addition, Kings will also have different types of prepared salads, natural and organic foods. "It's not just potato salad and cole slaw," said Levitan. "We'll have those items but we'll have items you would more likely find on a menu in a restaurant rather than what you would find in another supermarket."

Another aspect of the company, which Levitan feels is especially important, is their involvement in the community. "We were owned by one family up until about 10 years ago and we are very much a part of our communities. Many of the store management are on the town's committees, they do charity work, they're involved in the local rotaries and Kiwanis clubs," said Levitan. "I think, on a proportion basis, based on us being a relatively small company, we do really give forth with a lot of our time and a lot of our money. That's something we're going to want to establish very quickly as we go out into these areas."

Bob Boyd, who will be managing the Garden City store, has already begun meeting with the local Rotary, Kiwanis and chamber of commerce and looks forward to being an active part of the community. Boyd noted that Kings will be participating in the Garden City chapter of the American Cancer Society's Tasting on the Green, a fund raiser taking place on September 8, and plans to take part in SEPTA's annual street fair. In addition, Boyd explained, the store will be hosting its own tasting reception, with the proceeds going to local charities and organizations. Boyd stated that in the other Kings locations they work with a local food bank, donating leftover breads, etc. As of yet, they have not set this up in the Garden City area, but hope to soon. As another community service, Kings will be offering school tours, teaching students about nutrition and the food pyramid.

Boyd, who has worked for Kings for 25 years, stocking shelves when he began, speaks very highly of the company, which is currently hiring local community members for the new store. He explained that the company treats its employees very well, with a scholarship program and full tuition reimbursement program that employees can apply for. "It's very gratifying to work for a company like Kings," said Boyd, noting that in addition to being good to its employees, Kings is, "number one in quality, service and cleanliness."

Levitan added, "We really focus on our people, our products, and the communities that we serve and we are very passionate about that. Our advertising line, which is something that we really live by is that Kings is passionate about food, and we also say that we are passionate about our own people and the way that we serve the communities."