Big Y Still Looking to Simsbury for New Store Location

When Big Y, an independently owned New England supermarket chain, announced plans to open a new location in the north end of Simsbury it drew quite a lot of attention among residents but the lack of activity ever since has many asking—what happened to Big Y?

In a letter sent to town officials on June 13, the company announced plans for a new 53,000 square foot Big Y World Class Market to be built on the former Wagner Ford property located at 1313 Hopmeadow Street.

The company plans to invest $12 million in the new location and expects to add 125 full and part-time employees to staff the store, according to the letter.

Before moving forward with a deal to lease the land, Big Y has had to work through local and state zoning procedures, state traffic procedures, and of course, public opinion. Simsbury residents shared their concerns about another large grocery store during a public hearing last year, the main issue being how the store will fit with the town's route 10 corridor study.

What's happening next?

According to Clair D'Ammour-Daley, the company's vice president of communications, the company is still pursuing the Simsbury store.

"It's still in process but we have no signed deal yet," D'Ammour said.

Initially, town officials like Hirem Peck understood that the company was interested in opening a new store in Oct. 2013 but D'Ammour said that's not likely.

"We still want to be there in Simsbury and we want to be a part of that community," D'Ammour said.

But the company first needs to get approval from the state traffic commission for a new traffic signal to be located at the entrance of the new store on Hopmeadow Street.

D'Ammour said it could be another year before anything significant happens.

"Ideally we're looking at 2014," D'Ammour said. "But the target dates are fluid."