Best Market
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Supermarket) |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Ben Raitses |
| Fate | Acquired by Lidl in 2021 |
| Headquarters | Bethpage, New York , United States |
Area served | New York, Connecticut, New Jersey |
| Products | Fresh produce, meat, seafood, deli items, bakery products, grocery goods |
Best Market operated as a family-run regional supermarket chain, managing 30 outlets throughout New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. With its headquarters situated in Bethpage, New York, the business was established in 1994 by entrepreneur Ben Raitses and stayed within the Raitses family ownership. The company specialized in fresh food categories—including produce, meat, seafood, deli items, and bakery products—while also stocking conventional grocery goods.
The company’s strategy centered on smaller store formats relative to its rivals, focusing on locations with carefully selected product assortments. Its offerings featured in-house traditional barbecue, juice bars, sushi counters, and a broad selection of craft beers at many sites. This varied product mix helped secure its position in the competitive regional grocery market until its acquisition by Lidl in 2021.
Initial Phase and Produce Warehouse
Best Market originated as a modest fruit and vegetable stand launched by Ben Raitses. It progressed into a produce retail outlet and opened its first Produce Warehouse in 1994. Expansion continued with additional Produce Warehouse stores targeting New York City’s outer boroughs and suburban areas on Long Island.
Best Yet Market Era
In 2002, the company adopted the Best Yet Market name. By 2005, it briefly trialed a grocery delivery service on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, competing against FreshDirect and Whole Foods Market; however, this initiative was short-lived. Delivery services resumed in parts of Harlem starting in 2010.
A strategic entry into Manhattan occurred in 2010 with the opening of a flagship store in Harlem to address fresh food scarcity identified by the New York City Department of City Planning. This location received partial funding through a million-dollar loan from the Upper Manhattan Development Zone and featured fresh produce, meat, seafood, craft beer, and gourmet grocery selections.
In 2011, Best Yet inaugurated a store in East Patchogue, New York, which was acknowledged by local officials for bringing fresh produce to an area previously designated a food desert by state authorities.
Transition to Best Market
Starting in 2012, Best Yet Market began rebranding its outlets as Best Market, launching its first store beyond New York borders in Holmdel, New Jersey. This location dedicated one-quarter of its space to produce and notably operated using an emergency generator to continue serving customers and distributing food following Hurricane Sandy.
Growth and Development
By 2013, Best Market expanded into Connecticut with a Newington store that included an on-site barbecue smoker and an electric vehicle charging station—enhancing both product diversity and sustainability efforts. That same year, the West Babylon location received Progressive Grocer's "Best Retro Design" accolade.
From 2015 onward, Best Market acquired several former A&P properties across New York—including Waldbaum's, Pathmark stores, and a Food Emporium in Tribeca—boosting its store count from 19 to 26. The addition of four more stores in 2016 raised the total to 30 and marked the completion of the rebranding from Best Yet Market.
In August 2016, the company announced plans to move its headquarters from Bethpage to Bay Shore on Long Island by converting a former Entenmann's factory. This relocation created a regional food hub that combined production facilities, distribution operations, and a food incubator designed for emerging entrepreneurs. Backed by a $1 million tax credit from the Empire State Development Corporation, the initiative included commitments to generate 125 jobs and invest $6 million in facility renovations.
Buyout and Acquisition
The German supermarket chain Lidl purchased all Best Market outlets throughout the state, with the exception of the Newington store. This particular location stayed under Best Market's control and was rebranded as Local Market. Local Market ultimately closed its doors on September 21, 2020.
Locations
Best Market maintained a total of 30 stores situated in New York and New Jersey.
Sustainability
Best Market embraced environmentally friendly practices at its retail sites and corporate headquarters in Bethpage. The company operated a fleet composed entirely of hybrid vehicles, including electric cars, and installed charging stations at selected stores. Notably, several locations, like the Massapequa store, utilized solar power to supplement their energy needs, with Massapequa relying predominantly on electricity generated from rooftop solar panels.