Mercato Fresh expanding to south Windsor

A popular Windsor specialty grocer has announced its plans to expand and open a third location. 

Mercato Fresh, which has a location in Chatham-Kent and in east Windsor at 3235 Banwell Rd, says it will be opening in south Windsor come summer 2024.

The move comes as Armando's Pizza Bar announced the closure of their dining room effective Jan. 7, 2024. 

"After an incredible 20-year journey in South Windsor, we have made the decision to close the doors of Armando's Pizza Bar dining room on January 7th. While this was a difficult choice, we believe it is time to take a step back," said owners John Pizzo & Andre Gerardi in a Facebook post. 

"As we bid farewell, we also extend our congratulations to Mercato Fresh on their new business endeavor (sic). They will be moving into the Armando's Pizza Bar building, establishing their latest Mercato location. We are thrilled to have them as our new neighbors (sic), and we're confident that the South Windsor community will welcome them with open arms," they continued.

Armando's will carry on as a takeout and delivery business in the back plaza where Armando's marketplace resides.

Mercato Fresh will open at 300 Cabana Rd near the intersection of Cabana Rd. and Howard Ave.

President Marc Romualdi says after speaking with their customers, they knew the demand for a grocer in the area was there.

"This is going to be more of a European style market where many of our customers can come in, get in, get out. A lot of local people in the area can shop basically on a daily basis. There's no need to stock up. So we're going to be ready for business real soon."

He says consumers can expect the great customer service they've come to know at their other locations.

"We also want to keep some of the remnants of the old Armando's. Like the fireplace will stay intact. Certain aspects of that location will remain. We're very excited to be there and I think we're going to really wow the taste buds of our customers once again."

The first Windsor location on Banwell Rd. opened in Nov. 2022, and Romualdi says residents have really embraced them.

"They appreciate what we're trying to do. We're trying to bring back old school grocers to the area in a time where the chain stores seem to deviate from offering services and higher prices, we try to do the opposite. We're grassroots, we're in the trenches. We work with our suppliers and they work with us."

Romualdi says they're aiming to open June 2024 but are very motivated to open sooner.