New Use Proposed For Former Greenwich Supermarket

GREENWICH, CT — The former Acme supermarket at 160 W. Putnam Ave. could be turned into a daycare and preschool facility, according to plans submitted to the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission.

The Goddard School and property owner, Greenwich Grocery Owners LLC, are seeking a pre-application review for the proposal.

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Pre-application reviews allow applicants to receive initial comments from the commission before submitting a formal application.

The property contains a single story, 20,500-square-foot building on 1.3 acres in the GB Zone.

The applicant anticipates 216 children would be enrolled across all programs at the facility, with approximately 40 staff, including 36 teachers and four administrators, submitted documents say.

A variety of schedules would be offered to accommodate families. Drop-off times would be spread throughout the morning, beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 9:30 a.m. Pickup times would range from 3 p.m. to 6:05 p.m., according to the proposal.

"Upon arrival, parents will enter the foyer to check in with staff, escort their child to their classroom and ask any questions to the teacher, say goodbyes and return to their cars," said Thomas J. Heagney, attorney for the applicant, in submitted documents. "Total drop off time is 3-5 minutes. Pickup is the same process in reverse and lasts the same amount of time."

The existing traffic flow and access to the property would be maintained. The applicant intends to close off access to Brookside Drive and install a 6,000-square-foot playground area in its place, Heagney noted.

Additionally, the applicant proposes to eliminate the "drive isle" between the building and the parking lot, and relocate those spaces against the building facade.

The Goddard School says on its website it is "the nation’s leader in premier early childhood education dedicated to nurturing the extraordinary in every child."

Currently there are Goddard School locations in Brookfield; Cheshire; Danbury; Darien; Fairfield; Farmington; Glastonbury; Monroe; Newington; Orange; Rocky Hill; Shelton; South Windsor; Stamford; Weatogue; Westport; and Wilton.

Overall, there are over 660 schools across the U.S.

"Our high-quality educational programming is designed to ignite curiosity and fuel a lifelong love of learning," the school franchise says on its website. "With passionate teachers dedicated to guiding each child on their own journey, we create an environment that is both nurturing and inspiring, where every child has the freedom to explore, learn at their own pace and discover their unique potential."

The Acme supermarket, which was formerly an A&P Fresh store, closed last October after about 10 years in business.

The Goddard School proposal is expected to go before the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission in the coming weeks.