New York, NY  - As storefront after storefront has seen the closure of locally owned mom and pop shops in favor of national chains, a major stemming of the tide has occurred in Washington Heights. There has been a supermarket at 592 Fort Washington Ave on 187th Street for nearly 30 years, providing quality affordable produce to the many residents in the area; and thanks to community action, there we'll continue to be for years to come. After the community learned that the Associated may be evicted at the end of its lease term,  hundreds rallied  and over a 1 000 residents signed a petition  to keep their supermarket and prevent the possibility of a crippling food desert.  After intense pressure, the Walgreens planning to move into the space came to the table to negotiate a sub-lease with Associated that will keep it in place, to the joy of the local community. Tomorrow, at 3:00pm, elected officials and Washington Heights residents will rally in celebration and for all the mom and pop stores that make our community whole. 

WHO: 
State Senator Adriano Espaillat
Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez
Councilman Mark Levine 
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer 
Community Board 12 Char Shah Ally 
Store Manager Oswald Rodriguez 
Scores of local residents 

WHERE : 
Associated Supermarket (Ft. Washington Ave. and W.187th St.)


WHEN: 
TOMORROW -Sunday, June 19th starting at 3:00pm