Fairway to Open In Douglaston, Queens on November 16, 2011

DOUGLASTON, N.Y., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairway Market (www.fairwaymarket.com), the legendary specialty food market, opens today in Douglaston, Queens with an unparalleled combination of specialty, organic and traditional foodstuffs at great every day value. The store, which is the ninth for the iconic company and the first in the city's largest borough, is located at 242-02 61st Avenue in the Douglaston Plaza Shopping Center on the Lower Level (just off the Long Island Expressway at Douglaston Parkway). The 56,000 square foot store brings over 400 new jobs to Queens County.

"The opening of this store brings the finest selection of foods for every appetite and budget," said Charles Santoro, Chairman of Fairway and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Sterling Investment Partners which has a controlling interest in Fairway. "We are also very pleased to have created more than 400 new jobs in a difficult economy. With the opening of our ninth store and over the past three years we have added more than 2,500 new jobs in the tri-state region."

In January 2007, Sterling Investment Partners, a Westport, CT middle market private equity firm, acquired a majority stake in Fairway Market and committed to substantially expanding the company. Since that time, Fairway has grown rapidly, opening six more Fairway locations and two Wine & Spirits stores. Fairway expects to continue to open several stores per year for the foreseeable future.

Fairway was founded nearly 80 years ago by Nathan Glickberg, who opened a fruit and vegetable stand where the flagship Broadway store in Manhattan is still located. Howie Glickberg, Chief Executive Officer of Fairway and grandson of the founder, remains an active leader in Fairway.

"We're excited to add a whole new food dimension to Douglaston and we're confident shoppers will be impressed by what we have to offer, from the large array of food and groceries to the expertise we bring to all areas of the fresh product," said Howie Glickberg. "Our people are the best; from our butchers and bakers to our cheesemongers, produce and seafood experts, they all share a passion for what they do."

Upon entering the Douglaston Fairway you will see floor to ceiling displays of fruits and vegetables, which include a wide array of organic produce, as well as fresh produce from across the U.S. (many of which are locally sourced) and exotic items. The store will have a full bakery, which is also kosher, and will tempt all with its artisanal breads and NYC-style bagels that are made daily on premises.

The seafood department features a full selection of fillets of fish and shellfish stacked high. In the meat department, shoppers will be able to experience the service of getting the best cuts of beef trimmed to their specifications, and there's a large selection of pre-cut, OU-certified red meat, as well as fresh, kosher poultry.

The master coffee purveyors roast coffee beans from around the world. The deli and appetizing section provides a selection of pickled and cured foods, including more than 70 kinds of freshly bathed and marinated olives, as well as a number of smoked salmon options, including Fairway's traditionally made, house-smoked salmon. And of course, there will be Fairway's renowned assortment of more than 600 fine cheeses, as well as a special station where mozzarella is made and hand pulled right in the store for all to see.

Fairway Douglaston will have alcoves for organic and specialty items set apart from the more than 45,000 items in the roomy aisles. Shoppers will also find a full line of gluten-free products, more than 100 varieties of olive oils, and an ever expanding number of organic and natural health and beauty aids.

The new Fairway will have one of its famous cafes offering sandwiches, sushi, salads, yogurt with toppings, and dozens of hot foods prepared fresh in Fairway's kitchen. The public can expect food tastings, demos, book signings and other great events to take place in the cafe.

Herb Reutsch, President of Fairway, is among those responsible for making each store a marriage of the best management and leadership practices, an exceptional food expertise, and a commitment to corporate responsibility. This dynamic combination has made Fairway one of the highest grossing supermarkets per square foot in the country.

"We're proud to offer a shopping experience that is unparalleled," said Reutsch. "This is credit in large measure to each and every one of the thousands of Fairway staff members who are passionate about the vast array of artisanal and traditional food and groceries we offer and are dedicated to the highest quality customer service." He adds: "We are equally proud that we impact the communities in which we are located. When we say we are 'Like No Other Market,' it is also because we are committed to being good neighbors and good citizens."

Fairway is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, visit www.fairwaymarket.com.

About Fairway Market

Fairway was founded in the 1930s by Nathan Glickberg as a fruit and vegetable store in Manhattan, and it is now a growing chain of markets with an expertise in specialty foods. It is also one of the nation's highest grossing food retailers per square foot. Sterling Investment Partners acquired a majority share of the company nearly five years ago. Today there are nine locations in the tri-state area employing approximately 3,500 people, as well as two Fairway Wines & Spirits super stores. In 2007, Specialty Food Magazine named Fairway one of the country's six Outstanding Specialty Food Retailers for the Specialty Food Trade. In May 2008, Fairway was named Consumer Deal of the Year by M&A Magazine. Fairway was also listed on Inc.'s top 5,000 fastest growing private companies for 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Learn more at www.fairwaymarket.com.

About Sterling Investment Partners

Sterling Investment Partners is a middle-market private equity firm that invests in companies with significant competitive strengths and growth potential. Founded in 1991, Sterling has completed investments, strategic or add-on acquisitions, and liquidity events with an aggregate transaction value of approximately $9.0 billion, representing over 100 transactions. Sterling maintains a broad industry focus, including professional and business services, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, value-added distribution, retail, education and training and technology-related businesses.  www.sterlinglp.com

SOURCE Fairway Market

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