Image via Google Maps.

Astoria Key Food, located at 22-15 31st St., will be permanently closing its doors this October. 

Unlike recent business closures in the neighborhood, Key Food will not be closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but rather because of an ongoing redevelopment proposal. According to an article published by The Real Deal, lease negiotations between Man-Dell Food Stores and landlord Jenel Management came to a standstill, ultimately leading to the closure.

Jenel Management reportedly plans to turn the two-story building into three stories, which would feature Target on the top two floors and space for a supermarket on the ground floor. Man Dell Chief Administrative Officer Roseann Marabello-Rivera confirmed to The Real Deal that negotiations had been ongoing since 2018, but have no longer been active as of recently.

All 151 employees who work at the Key Food location will be laid off; approximately 100 employees are members of the UFCW Local 1500, according to The Real Deal.