Aldi Opens, Stop & Shop Closes

Aldi opened its second supermarket in Bristol on Thursday. The new location occupies 12,000 square feet in the Bristol Farms plaza at 1235 Farmington Ave. The space previously housed Big Lots, which closed after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2024. Aldi announced plans for this specific store in April. The chain already operates a store at 110 Middle St. in the same city.

On the same day, Stop & Shop closed its store in Clinton. The location at 215 East Main St. in Clinton Plaza has operated since 1984. Stephanie Cunha, a spokeswoman for the company, said all 100 employees at the Clinton site can apply for positions at other area stores. Stop & Shop is the largest grocery chain in Connecticut.

Other retail changes occurred across the state this week. Mom’s Organic Market plans to open its first Connecticut store in Stamford in 2027. The Maryland-based chain will lease 13,238 square feet in a shopping plaza at 689-699 Canal St. This space was part of the former Fairway Market location. Fairway Market closed there in August 2020. Charter Realty, which markets the property, notes that Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s, Primrose Schools, and Club Studio have also committed to opening in the plaza. None of these tenants have opened yet.

Juici Patties opened its first Connecticut location in Bridgeport. The Jamaican fast-casual chain is located at 604 Pequonnock St. in the North Park Shopping Center. Simon Pearce, a Vermont-based housewares brand, opened a store in Greenwich last week. In Norwalk, Nothing Bundt Cakes held a grand opening.

Several businesses are closing or moving. Pedals Smoothie and Juice Bar will close its New Haven and Durham locations. Its Middletown store will remain open. SoNo Baking Co. will close its South Norwalk location on Nov. 1. Banh Meee’s owners in Hartford plan to close their downtown location and relocate to Simsbury in December. The Vietnamese eatery has not set a specific closing date.

The retail activity spans multiple categories and towns. Aldi’s expansion continues in the state. Stop & Shop reduced its physical footprint in Connecticut. Mom’s Organic Market entered the state market with a future opening plan. New brands like Juici Patties and Simon Pearce added locations. Existing brands like Pedals Smoothie and SoNo Baking Co. reduced their presence. Banh Meee’s is changing its operational base within the state.