See below for a slideshow of photos at the early morning grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony by David Dunne:

Staten Island has another Lidl Grocery store, this one in the TJ Maxx shopping plaza, also known as Forest Avenue Shoppers Town.  For those shoppers who arrived at 7:40am for the ribbon cutting, they were provided with a small breakfast of sweet treats. The first 100 people in line were provided with a random-amount gift card, valued between $5 and $100, which they could use to spend on groceries in the store.

Lidl is a German-owned company that has been sweeping across the US in recent years, with a dedicated and loyal following of consumer fans of their stores’ unique set up.  The stores are known for little baskets lining the shelves of their store, with products placed in the bins for customers to look through and find.  They have a large selection of produce as well.

Staten Island shoppers should know that this newest grocery store addition for the community is unlike your other grocery store options, which ARE all union-represented.  Lidl is not yet a part of any union, including the UFCW (United Food and Commercial Workers Union, which represents the workers at Stop & Shop and ShopRites of Staten Island and the local area).  The UFCW has tried to organize the chain’s workers into a union, but these efforts have thus far been unsuccessful.  Why might residents want to shop union when possible? 

Workers get more consistent hours, better pay, agreed-upon and fair regular raises for everyone, safer working conditions, mandatory breaks (because humans are not machines and there are no real mandated breaks in the law anymore for most workers without unions), disability coverage for injuries, and many other benefits of being unionized.  

It should be noted, though, that LIDL provides all workers, regardless of hours worked, with cost-shared health insurance (even for 15 hour a week workers), so they are not participating in the scheme mentioned above.  They also have a good pay structure with regular raises.  Since they are from Europe, they have a different perspective on worker treatment and executive compensation.  Though it is not public, their executive compensation may have a lower ratio of executive:base worker than other companies.  But all of these types of companies – union or not – pay their executives in the tens of millions of dollars, usually with bonuses and sometimes with stock options.  

Lidl Grand Opening. Image Credit – David Dunne

Lidl Grand Opening. Image Credit – David Dunne

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The below is the company’s press release about the event:

LIDL US OPENING A FRESH NEW GROCERY STORE ON STATEN ISLAND

Lidl US Is Bringing Its Iconic Quality to Staten Island as Part of the Brand’s Growing Presence in New York

On your mark, get set… shop! Lidl US is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest grocery store on Staten Island, New York, on Wednesday, September 30. Located at 1545 Forest Avenue, the store promises high-quality private-label products, global imports, and fresh, locally sourced options at low prices.

Start your day with freshly baked croissants and a cup of coffee as you join us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:40 a.m. Early shoppers will enjoy exclusive deals, a first look at specialty items, and the exciting opportunity to experience Lidl’s award-winning aisles.

If you miss our grand opening celebration, don’t worry — our Staten Island store will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

At Lidl US, shoppers will discover a grocery store centered on value, quality, and efficiency. From private label picks and imported goods to fresh local produce, you’ll get to experience the quality we’re famous for in Europe — without using your passport. Here’s what makes Lidl US unique:

Weekly Perks for Loyal Shoppers

• Fresh Finds: Smell that? It’s the famous Lidl US bakery, offering freshly baked bread and pastries all day long.
• More Ways to Save with Lidl Plus: Download our loyalty app Lidl Plus to earn Lidl Points on every purchase, unlock member exclusive offers at checkout and customize your trip with personalized coupons.
• Weekly Savings: Keep your cart full and your wallet happy with our Wednesday Weekly Deals —rotating discounts on fresh produce, pantry staples, and global brands.
• Weekend Super Sale: Six sizzling items drop every Friday-Sunday at prices so hot, they won’t last long — available for a limited time only.
• Monday Must-Haves: Start your week strong with non-food finds, including kitchenware, home décor, fitness gear, and seasonal treats like Favorina holiday chocolates.

Taste the Difference With These Lidl Favorites

• Famous 49-Cent Butter Croissants: Imported from Europe and baked fresh daily, we dare you to find a flakier French pastry this side of the Atlantic!
• Bon Gelati Mini Mix Ice Cream Bars: Try our perfectly portioned assortment of creamy, indulgent ice cream bars in a variety of crowd-pleasing flavors, including almond, white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate.
• Snack Day Wavy Potato Chips, Extra Flavor All Dressed: Bold, flavor-packed chips coated with extra seasoning and made with no artificial flavors for a crave-worthy crunch.
• Alesto Raw Cashews: Premium-quality nuts perfect for better snacking at home.
• Dark Chocolate with Whole Roasted Hazelnuts: Rich, velvety dark chocolate paired with perfectly roasted hazelnuts for a satisfyingly crunchy, indulgent treat, made with no artificial flavors.
• Solevita Organic Lemon Ginger Shot: Crafted with USDA Organic lemon and ginger for a bold, refreshing burst of flavor.
• Lidl Preferred Selection Gold Coffee: Imported from Germany and made with a full-bodied blend with a smooth finish, perfect for starting your day or savoring a slow moment.
• Bakery Special Guests: Our Special Guest bakery program introduces four new baked goods each month that lean into seasonal trends and unique finds, available while supplies last. For our Staten Island opening, we’ll have our Berry Blast Muffin, Lemon Poppy Scone, Sweet Potato Bread and Pumpkin Cake Pop.

Get ready for the fresh finds and low prices at your new Lidl US! Download the Lidl Plus app in the Android or Apple app store today, check out our weekly savings and surprises at Lidl.com and follow us on your favorite social media channels for what’s new at @lidlus.

Lidl Grand Opening. Image Credit – David Dunne

Lidl Grand Opening. Image Credit – David Dunne

Lidl Grand Opening. Image Credit – David Dunne

Banner Image: LIDL Grand Opening. Image Credit – David Dunne