Stop & Shop Flagship Store Newly Opened in Allston Yard
By Day Kim
Residents and others who frequent Allston Yard are noticing the positive changes as the neighborhood welcomed another new business to their quickly changing neighborhood: A new Stop & Shop grocery store on Guest Street to replace a previous location across the street.
Neighborhood residents and others said they were excited to have a grocery store with more space and varieties. Local residents said the store’s convenient location and increased choices make it apart from other grocery stores.
The store uses environmentally friendly materials and has converted all cooking equipment from propane to electric, reducing carbon emissions. Updated refrigeration units use more climate-friendly refrigerants and have doors to lower energy use.
Phyu Phyu, an employee at Stop & Shop, said in an interview that she believes sets the Boston location apart from other grocery stores.
“We have a really big place to shop, and lots of groceries available,” Phyu said. “The freshness is the key point of our store.”
The new 52,000-square-foot store, part of the Allston Yards development, aims to meet the needs of Allston’s diverse community.
The store features a large produce department with fresh, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, sustainably sourced seafood, and a prepared foods section. The store also offers free 90-minute parking, an in-store Starbucks, and a Citizens Bank branch.
Zita Fleming, a resident of West Cambridge, said in an interview she enjoyed many different varieties with the store’s huge space.
“I love this place,” Fleming said. “It is very close to my home, and this bigger space leads to more choices for me.”
Stop & Shop has curated a larger assortment of products to cater to a wide range of cultures. This includes a kosher-certified bakery and hundreds of new items from countries such as Korea, Turkey, and China.
Lashaw Ricks, a local customer, said in an interview he was excited about the new store.
“I didn’t expect this place, but I like this large and well-organized store,” Ricks said. “One of my favorite drinks is hard to find in other stores, but Stop & Shop has it.
“I was surprised to find it here.”
The opening of Stop & Shop has transformed the Allston Yards area, replacing a large construction site with a grocery store. Residents and visitors now experience a safer and more vibrant neighborhood, as the store’s presence has significantly reduced the area’s previous sense of insecurity.
Brian Lee, another local resident, said he appreciated the new development’s impact on the neighborhood.
“I think the new developments have made the neighborhood more vibrant and safe,” he said. “The parking garage is also a great addition for myself and others.”
The store offers a new in-store savings kiosk allowing customers to easily activate digital coupon offers through Stop & Shop’s GO Rewards loyalty program.
The general manager for the store did not respond to requests for an interview.
Stop & Shop Allston Yards is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
