60 • September | October 2026 • abasto.com Convenience Extends Beyond the Aisles The accessibility showed up in real time on opening day. Sho- ppers told Allegiance Retail Ser- vices they liked being able to stop in after work for fresh groceries, prepared meals or grab-and-go items before heading home. For those who prefer to skip the trip entirely, the store also offers online ordering through Foodtown’s proprietary On the Go! platform, plus additional third-party delivery options. The result is a shopping experience that meets customers wherever they are, whether that’s in the aisles or on their phones. Leadership Sees a Model for Independent Grocers Joseph Fantozzi, president and chief operating officer of Allegiance Re- tail Services, framed the opening as proof of what independent grocers can accomplish when they know their customers. “We’re proud to welcome this new Foodtown to the Brooklyn community of Bay Ridge and applaud our independent retai- ler for creating a supermarket that truly reflects the neighborhood it ser- ves,” Fantozzi said, according to the company’s announcement. He pointed to the store’s range of Halal meats alongside authentic Asian and Hispanic foods as eviden- ce of that responsiveness. “This is a neighborhood market where every resident can find the foods and fla- vors that are meaningful to their fa- mily,” Fantozzi added. The new Foodtown Bay Ridge lo- cation joins a growing list of stores under the Allegiance Retail Servi- ces umbrella, which also supports brands including Freshtown, D’Agos- tino, Gristedes, Pathmark, Path- mark Daily, LaBella Marketplace, Brooklyn Harvest, Market Fresh, Big Deal Food Market, Green Way Mar- kets and Shop n Bag, the company said. Allegiance provides these inde- pendent supermarkets with marke- ting, advertising, technological and merchandising support. For now, the focus stays local. Residents gain a supermarket built around their own traditions, and commuters gain a quick stop between the subway and home. Together, tho- se pieces turn a former drugstore site into what Allegiance Retail Services calls a true reflection of the neighbor- hood it serves. • FOOD INDUSTRY • Continuation of page 58