From Cinema Screens to Shopping Carts: Food Bazaar Opens in New York

A new chapter has begun on Linden Boulevard in East New York, Brooklyn, where the iconic Linden Boulevard Multiplex Cinema, a neighborhood staple since 1998, has been reimagined into a striking, state-of-the-art Food Bazaar supermarket. Officially opening its doors on June 12^th, 2025, the transformation of this eight-acre property marks one of the most ambitious retail redevelopments in the borough, filling a long-standing grocery gap for thousands of residents. The new 70,000-square-foot store is Food Bazaar’s largest location in Brooklyn and one of its most advanced.

Once a hub for moviegoers, the former cinema has been cleverly repurposed into a full-service grocery destination, with former screening rooms now home to vibrant produce displays, a bakery, deli, butcher counter, seafood market, and international food aisles. Some architectural nods to the theater remain intact, such as the original restroom locations and marquee-style lighting elements, blending nostalgia with innovation. For years, locals in nearby housing developments like Linden Plaza and the Pink Houses had to travel over a mile to reach the nearest full-service supermarket.

With the opening of this location, fresh food, household essentials, and culturally diverse grocery selections are now within walking distance. Beyond staples, the store features a hydroponic garden, a juice and floral bar in the old concession area, and plans for a food hall and cooking classroom, offering more than just shopping, it’s designed to be a true community space. The site’s strategic location along Linden Boulevard positions it to serve not only East New York, but also parts of Howard Beach and the broader southeastern Brooklyn-Queens corridor. Food Bazaar’s decision to anchor its newest flagship store in a repurposed cinema reflects a broader trend in urban redevelopment, breathing new life into underused commercial spaces while directly addressing community needs. As the lights went on and the shopping carts rolled in, the former theater reopened not as a place for movies, but as a hub for nourishment, culture, and connection.