Lidl has officially rolled into Crown Heights, opening its newest Brooklyn store on Wednesday, March 18, at 1730 Bedford Avenue near Empire Boulevard. The 33,000-square-foot supermarket, the chain’s fourth in the borough, kicked things off with opening-day perks like free coffee and 49-cent croissants and is now open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The store sits on the ground floor of a new mixed-use building that replaced a historic Art Deco Firestone service station, trading tire changes for budget groceries.
According to Brooklyn Paper, shoppers lined up for the debut, where the Bedford Avenue store highlighted seasonal offerings such as spring gardening tools and potted plants. The outlet reported an arch of red, blue and yellow balloons welcoming customers at the entrance and described Lidl’s rotating lineup of affordable European groceries and household goods.
New Building Replaces 1930s Firestone Station
The Lidl anchors the base of a sizable mixed-use complex whose bulk shifts from a four-story storefront along Empire Boulevard to seven stories with balconies on the Sullivan Place side, according to Brownstoner. The outlet notes that permits for the project call for roughly 57 residential units, on-site parking and space reserved for a community facility.
Developer And Leasing Details
Brokerage Schuckman Realty, which handled leasing for the project, describes the supermarket as a 33,000-square-foot flagship within the larger development and notes that construction financing included a loan of about $62.25 million. Schuckman Realty also points out that Chipotle has already opened in the building, while office space is still on the market. A separate listing on LoopNet identifies 1730 Bedford Avenue as home to both Lidl and Chipotle and advertises first-floor retail and office space available now.
What It Means For Local Shoppers
The new store gives Crown Heights residents another low-price grocery option in a neighborhood already served by discount independents. Brooklyn Paper notes nearby competitors such as Western Beef on Empire Boulevard, Lincoln Market near Flatbush and Union Market on Bedford. Industry coverage casts Lidl’s arrival as part of a wider Brooklyn push that leans on grocery-anchored mixed-use projects. Supermarket News documented Lidl’s earlier plans for the Bedford Avenue site and the growing size of its Brooklyn footprint.
Visitor Info
The store entrance sits at the corner of Bedford Avenue and Empire Boulevard, and hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Opening-day promotions were limited to launch day, but shoppers can expect Lidl’s usual mix of European private-label staples alongside everyday groceries. For leasing details and floor plans, see the LoopNet listing.
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