SCHENECTADY, N.Y., January 2, 2026 — Electric City Community Grocery (ECCG) has signed a lease to bring a full-service grocery store to downtown Schenectady. In addition, following approval from the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the City of Schenectady has secured authorization from the U.S. Treasury to release $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the project.

The community-owned grocery store will transform approximately 15,000 square feet of the Wedgeway Building into a modern, full-service grocery store serving people from across the city, Schenectady County and the Capital Region. Metroplex is working with ECCG to provide parking on both sides of Liberty Street to meet the needs of shoppers. Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026, with a soft opening anticipated in late 2026.

“This milestone reflects years of planning and collaboration among our cooperative, the City of Schenectady, Schenectady County, Metroplex, Cass Hill Development (owners of the Wedgeway Building), and our growing membership,” said Eric Johnson, Board President of Electric City Community Grocery. “We intend to deliver a high-quality, energy-efficient grocery store that meets community needs and is a fun, interactive community gathering space.”

The new store is expected to create 22 to 36 full-time equivalent jobs and establish long-term, locally rooted food access in a downtown area that has lacked a grocery store since 2001.

As a member of National Co+op Grocers, ECCG will leverage national purchasing power to offer affordable staples, including Co+op Basics and the Field Day brand, while maintaining a strong commitment to local and regional producers. The store will also feature a robust bulk section and participate in Double Up Food Bucks, increasing the value of SNAP benefits for fresh produce purchases.

Richard Mausert, ECCG Board Vice President and a seasoned grocery professional with 47 years of industry experience said, “Our cooperative model allows community members to collectively invest in food access, local jobs, and downtown revitalization —ensuring this store is accountable to the people it serves.”

ECCG currently has over 1,330 Member-Owners and will be launching the next phase of its capital campaign in 2026.

For more information or to become a member-owner, visit electriccityfood.coop.

About Electric City Community Grocery (ECCG)

Electric City Community Grocery is a community-owned, democratically governed food cooperative incorporated in 2013 to address the lack of grocery access in downtown Schenectady. ECCG is dedicated to advancing equitable food access, supporting regional farmers and food producers, and strengthening community connections through shared ownership.

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