A new grocery store will soon join the existing landscape of small, locally-owned groceries in South Oakland.

Developers revealed details two weeks ago about a new 20 to 25,000-square foot supermarket slated for South Oakland, which follows years of complaints from residents about a scarcity of grocery stores in the neighborhood. But the few existing small scale groceries aren’t too concerned, believing their loyal customer bases will keep them competitive.

Located at 3401 Boulevard of the Allies, the new store will be on the ground floor of a planned apartment building being developed by Radnor Property Group. Radnor, which plans to break ground in the beginning of 2027, has not disclosed which grocer will move in.

One of the existing small South Oakland grocery stores is Groceria Merante, an Italian market on the corner of Bates Street and McKee Place, which has been operating in the location since 1979. Philomena Merante, the owner of the store, explained she is unfazed in the face of the planned development.

Earlier in the store’s history, Merante said both an A&P — a now-defunct grocery chain — and a Giant Eagle could be found in South Oakland. 

“We’ve outlived all of those,” Merante said.

Merante said she and her family “just have to take each day as it comes” and do not anticipate any significant change in how they conduct business. She said her customers come to the store for a combination of general grocery needs and Italian flavor.

Merante confirmed the store has many loyal customers and expects to keep them even through generations.

“[We’ve been] here so long that we’re actually [serving] great grandchildren,” Merante said.

Merante is choosing to forestall any judgments until it’s certain what grocer will move into the space, saying that she’s “mostly not worried.”
“I don’t have an opinion on it right now until we actually see what goes in there,” Merante said, adding that there are no grocers in particular that would cause her concern.

Merante believes that her store’s high quality food attracts and keeps customers. On the shelves of Groceria Merante are typical grocery items, along with specialty Italian ingredients, locally grown produce, fresh bread and a deli case containing a variety of imported meats.

When asked what products in particular keep the customers coming back for more, she said, “everything’s a good seller.”

Jansen Flohr, a South Oakland resident, has been frequenting Groceria Merante for years and considers himself a loyal customer.

“This place is great,” Flohr said. “It’s been in business for years.”

A supermarket like the new one planned does not appeal to Flohr personally, but he recognizes the value of convenience for college students and expects at least some loss in traffic for Groceria Merante.

Johnny Kretzing, a 2025 Pitt graduate and South Oakland resident, is another Groceria Merante frequenter who comes for a portion of his weekly grocery needs. He also has no plans to patronize the new supermarket, though figures it is likely something the neighborhood needs, calling it a “food desert.”

“This place rocks, but it’s also not ever a bad thing to just have more food,” Kretzing said.

Kretzing believes it is inevitable that Groceria Merante will lose at least some business as a result of the increased competition.

“I don’t want it to [lose business], but I’m just calling it like I see it,” Kretzing said.

A few blocks east of Groceria Merante’s is Frenchi’s Deli and Market, a corner store with its own deli, some grocery options and gas station items. Co-owner Said Ali shares Merante’s relative lack of concern, expecting only a small loss in business to his store and others nearby.
Like Merante, Ali confirmed he has a loyal group of repeat customers.

“[They like] supporting small businesses,” Ali said.