ITHACA, N.Y. –– GreenStar Food Co+op will open the doors of its new store at 770 Cascadilla Street, Ithaca to the public on Wednesday, May 6.

The last day for shopping at the GreenStar store at 701 W. Buffalo St. will be Saturday, May 2. From May 3 to May 5, GreenStar employees will prepare for the opening of the new flagship store at 770 Cascadilla St. Indoor and outdoor seating areas, children’s play area, self-serve food stations, and self-serve bulk options will not be open to the public upon opening, due to COVID-19 safety precautions.

The new location has grown significantly in size from the Buffalo street store –– 6,500 sq. ft. to 16,500 sq. ft.–– including wider, accessible aisles that can accommodate social distancing.

New to the store will be a larger deli, complete with smoothies and specialty coffee drinks, made to order food stations, a larger, safer parking lot and the aforementioned indoor and outdoor seating areas.

Shoppers can also expect a change in inventory. The new store will offer more local, organic, and Fair Trade products. There will be more produce available, expanded health and wellness products, new housewares and pet selections.

Health and Wellness section –– a “store within a store,” with a distinctive look setting it apart from the rest and an increase in space to allow for new products. Wellness staff are located at a central desk, available to assist you with any questions about products.

Known for organic and specialty products, management said the new location aims to drive down costs and make shopping at GreenStar more accessible for everyone.

“We’re trying to be highly competitive and still have the traditional product lines we’ve become known for. We’re committed to being within 10% of our competitor’s prices on at least a line in every category,” General Manager Brandon Kane said.

The new eco-friendly building (100% solar-powered and temperature regulated with efficient heat pumps) will accommodate all of GreenStar’s West End operations under one roof, including the Classrooms with a teaching kitchen, administrative offices, and the Central Kitchen.

Recently the company has experienced a downturn in business –– on April 14, GreenStar announced the temporary closure of their location in the DeWitt Mall. Kane said that he is unsure when the store will be able to reopen, but discussions are still weeks away and any decisions will rely heavily on directives from Gov. Cuomo.

Here’s a sneak peek into the inside of the new GreenStar: