Inside Lidl’s biggest Long Island store

Lidl US on Wednesday held the grand opening of its largest store—and first newly built location—in the metropolitan New York market of Long Island. Occupying nearly 36,000 square feet, the new Lidl Food Market, announced earlier this month, is situated at 450 Commack Rd. in Deer Park, New York.

Local officials and community leaders attended the ribbon-cutting event, which drew a line of customers stretching the length of the store to be among the first to get in. “The big deal here is that this is our first ground-up build, our largest prototype, our largest store on Long Island,” said Will Harwood, director of communications and public relations for Lidl US. “We built the whole thing, with $12 million invested just in this store alone,” he added.

The Deer Park Lidl's expanded produce department includes organic and local fruit and vegetables, and extensive use of signage emphasizes product freshness and high quality to shoppers.

A fresh bakery offers hot bread, rolls, croissants, pastries and other treats, and glass displays showcase items to customers passing by. The bakery is located just inside the front entrance, and the smell of fresh-baked goods wafts through the store.

The Deer Park location offers Peak Harvest, a new private-label produce line introduced earlier this month. Lidl said the brand is available in more than 175 U.S. stores and encompasses over 50 products, including ready-to-eat salads made daily.

Long Island's biggest Lidl features a big meat department, including beef, poultry and pork. Neighboring the seafood section, it includes value-added options plus a range of premium offerings and weekly specials, the latter merchandising on refrigerated endcap displays.

Customers shopping the store's beef section will find high-end options that they wouldn't expect from a value grocer, such as organic grass-fed beef and thick cuts of Black Angus Premium Choice steak.

The Deer Park Lidl brings a chilled beer display to the retailer's Long Island stores and spotlights a variety of national, local and craft brews.

Along with an engaging seasonal aisle, the spacious general merchandise area provides a "treasure hunt" shopping experience and remains a key draw of Lidl stores. Customers can find items ranging from apparel, storage and hardware to home goods, toys, outdoor products and small appliances.

As shown on this coffee endcap, clever signage throughout the store touts the quality of Lidl's brands—accounting for about 80% of its stores' assortment—as well as the savings and value that shoppers can reap.

A literal hall of glass doors highlights the extensive frozen department, which covers all the bases with sections for pizza, seafood, meat, potatoes, side dishes, meals, fruit and vegetables, breakfast, international foods, and desserts and ice cream, among others.

Lidl's Cien brand headlines a strong health and beauty aisle, which includes personal care items for women and men, cosmetics, shaving products, over-the-counter medicines and health products.

Fresh-cut deli meats and cheeses have become a staple item at Lidl's Long Island stores, a carryover from the Best Market supermarkets acquired in 2018. The deli department also offers a wide range of grab-and-go and heat-and-eat foods and snacks.

Engaging signage in the beer section of the beverage aisle gives shoppers some guidance as they peruse a robust selection of brews.

Lidl's "suspiciously low-priced groceries" tagline has become a familiar sight on Long Island as the grocer has expanded in the region and stepped up marketing, including TV, print, in-store and digital promotions. The Deer Park location marks Lidl’s 24th Long Island store. Spokesman Will Harwood said the retailer is now scouting sites in New York City and plans a Brooklyn location.

Another first for the Deer Park store is serving as Lidl's first electric vehicle charging station on Long Island. Shoppers just park their vehicles in the designated spaces, plug in and charge up.