Save A Lot is bringing a full-service grocery store to Schenectady’s Hamilton Hill neighborhood as part of a transformative $115 million economic development project, reinforcing the role grocery stores can play in long-term community growth.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the project earlier this month, sharing the plan to pair a new Save A Lot grocery store with more than 170 affordable and workforce housing units, greenspace and other community amenities, creating a mixed-use development designed to strengthen one of the city’s long-standing underserved neighborhoods.
The Schenectady project illustrates a broader opportunity for municipalities, economic development organizations and community partners. Grocery stores like Save A Lot can anchor redevelopment efforts, improve food access, create jobs and encourage additional investment. For communities looking to revitalize underutilized sites, the right grocery partner can become a catalyst for long-term growth.
Why Schenectady Chose Save A Lot for the Redevelopment Project
Hamilton Hill residents have lacked convenient access to a full-service grocery store for many years, and the redevelopment of the former car dealership site at 750 State Street presented an opportunity to address that need while advancing a broader vision for the neighborhood.
The project will transform the property into a mixed-use destination that includes a 17,250-square-foot Save A Lot grocery store, 171 affordable and workforce housing units, greenspace, a playground and additional community amenities.
The Save A Lot store was intentionally incorporated into the redevelopment from the beginning. State and local leaders recognized that new housing alone would not fully serve residents without access to essential services nearby.
Governor Hochul echoed that vision when announcing the project, emphasizing that residents should be able to remain close to their families while still having access to fresh groceries without additional commuting time. The announcement reinforces a growing understanding among economic development leaders: investments in housing, infrastructure and neighborhood services are most effective when they work together.
“We believe in the power of the neighborhood grocery store as a key to building vibrant communities. We’re focused on serving families by ensuring they have access to fresh, affordable, nutritious food,” said Save A Lot President and CEO Bill Mayo. That mission aligns with the goals of the Hamilton Hill redevelopment and reflects the role grocery stores can play beyond traditional retail.
Economic Development Starts with Everyday Essentials
The project in Schenectady reflects how communities should approach economic development and food access. Housing, grocery access and other amenities are not standalone projects, but rather are essential parts of a community’s infrastructure that work together to support long-term neighborhood success.
New, affordable housing creates opportunities for families to live in a community, but access to everyday necessities helps those communities thrive. Save A Lot will provide the residents of Hamilton Hill with convenient access to fresh, affordable food and household items while supporting the quality of life that encourages people to live, work and invest in the neighborhood. Including Save A Lot in the development of this housing complex, greenspace and other amenities will strengthen the neighborhood as a place where residents can put down roots and meet many of their daily needs close to home.
The impact also reaches beyond families who shop there. Neighborhood grocery stores create local jobs, increase commercial activity and encourage additional investment from businesses looking to serve growing communities. When thoughtfully integrated into a redevelopment strategy, grocery stores like Save A Lot become long-term assets for broader economic growth.
What Communities Should Look for in a Grocery Partner
Save A Lot was one party of a broader partnership between public agencies, private developers and community leaders who shared a collective vision for the Schenectady community. Together, the partnership transformed years of planning into a coordinated investment that is designed to strengthen the neighborhood for generations to come.
Schenectady Metroplex Chair Ray Gillen captured that collaborative spirit when announcing the project, noting that months of focused efforts between public and private partners secured $115 million in investment while delivering the housing, grocery access and neighborhood amenities the community had been working toward for years.
“When evaluating partners for a transformational community development project, we were looking for more than a grocery store. We wanted a partner that could expand food access, support neighborhood revitalization and contribute to the community’s long-term success. Save A Lot aligned with those goals from day one.” Said Gillen.
As the nation’s largest independently owned and operated value-focused grocery chain, Save A Lot brings a model designed to support those goals. Stores offer fresh meat cut in-store, farm-fresh produce, national brands and an extensive private label assortment that delivers quality products at everyday low prices.
Equally important, Save A Lot works alongside developers, municipalities and economic development organizations to help bring grocery access to neighborhoods where it can create lasting impact. The Hamilton Hill redevelopment demonstrates how a grocery store can become an integral part of a broader community investment rather than simply another retail destination.
Looking Beyond Schenectady
Every community faces different opportunities and challenges, but many share common goals of revitalizing underutilized properties, improving access to essential services, attracting investment and creating places where residents want to live.
The Hamilton Hill redevelopment demonstrates what’s possible when grocery access is treated as an essential component of economic development. By integrating a full-service grocery store into a broader vision for housing and neighborhood revitalization, Schenectady’s partners are investing in the long-term success of the community.
For municipalities, economic development organizations and development partners exploring similar opportunities, the project offers an important reminder: the right grocery store can do far more than serve customers. It can help anchor redevelopment, strengthen neighborhoods and create lasting value for the communities it serves.
