New grocery stores for Lindisfarne and Devonport as independent food chain expands

THE Hill Street Grocer is expanding its fresh food empire. The independent food retailer has announced plans to open a new store in Lindisfarne.

The original Hill Street Grocer, pictured, has since moved a few blocks up the road, with this site transformed into the Smolt Kitchen eatery.

THE Hill Street Grocer is expanding its fresh food empire.

The independent food retailer has announced plans to open a new store in Lindisfarne, and is weeks away from opening a store in Devonport.

The Hill Street Lindisfarne store is planned for where the Lindisfarne Service Centre and Tyrepower is currently located.

The new store, which is subject to council approval and decontamination of the site, is across the road from the former Aproneers grocery store on the East Derwent Highway.

Hill Street marketing manager Emma Munnings said the store was still in design stages and it was hoped to have plans complete before Christmas, with construction to commence late next year if approved.

The grocery retail empire, owned by the Nikitaras family, will open a new store in Devonport in November — marking the eighth store in the grocery franchise.

Hill Street bought the Aproneers building in Lindisfarne last year, and soon after the owners of the grocery and cafe business announced they were closing the Aproneers to concentrate on their farming business.

Mrs Munnings said the Aproneers building would soon be home to a new cafe run by Carly Martin and Chris Knapek, which is set to open in February next year.

She said Hill Street had not been ready to open a store at the site when it was vacated, because it needed major renovations and the priority had been developing the new store at Devonport.