Front store entrance of Aker Club, Downtown Rochester’s newest high-tech Europe-inspired grocery and convenient store.
Aker Club is preparing to open a high-tech European-inspired grocery store in downtown Rochester, and the shelves are already started to be stocked. The clubs concept will implement a membership-based model at Sibley Square, a historic building at 252 East Main Street that is also home to a plethora of new tech companies, the Mercantile on Main food court, and office spaces used by Monroe Community College. Conceptualized by founder and Rochester native Zack Harper, the concept for the shop was inspired by his time living in Europe, where small neighborhood markets made shopping easy and accessible for his day to day living. After returning to Rochester and moving downtown, Harper quickly realized that downtown lacked a grocery store within a convenient walking distance, so he decided to take matters into his own hands. (Thank you, Zack!)
Rather than opening a full-size supermarket, Aker Club’s design is more of a neighborhood pantry that offers fresh produce, dairy, eggs, meat and frozen proteins, bread, cupboard staples, snacks, beverages, household products and personal-care items. One thing to note, shoppers will need membership access to shop at the store. It is a free membership, but interestingly, one must verify their identity to enter the store to shop for their goods. This model will allow for shoppers to purchase at self-checkout kiosks, and will limit the staffing needed to operate the space.
The reality of the situation is that Aker Club comes at a time when Rochester, especially downtown has had a lack of grocery stores and quality produce since Harts Local Grocers closed in 2019. For this reason, it’s a huge deal that this new shop is opening up because it will serve a fast growing neighborhood. Over the past few years, Downtown Rochester has grown into a home for about 11,000 residents, making it the fast growing neighborhood in Rochester, and the most populous downtown in all of Upstate, New York. Aker Club’s presence will undoubtedly have a huge impact in Downtown Rochester, and really be felt by the 11,000 and growing residents who have long awaited access to quality groceries, health products, dairy, meats, and household goods. There is a lot of excitement in the air, as we wait for the doors of the shop to finally be open. While a set-opening date has not been posted, you can see the shelves slowly stocking up with household goods and health products, if you’re curious enough to take a look inside.
