Giunta’s Meat Farms to replace closing Northport King Kullen

Supermarket chain Giunta’s Meat Farms will replace the soon-to-be closed King Kullen in Northport.

Giunta’s Meat Farms will be taking over the 35,000-square-foot space at 395 Fort Salonga Rd. in Northport currently occupied by King Kullen, which said last week that it decided not to renew its lease. The Northport store will close on Feb. 11.

The newest store for Oakdale-based Giunta’s will be its ninth on Long Island. After undergoing renovations, the Northport store is expected to open by April and hire 60 to 80 employees, said Annie Giunta, the daughter of co-owner Philip Giunta.

Giunta’s committed to a 20 year-lease, said Steve Appas, leasing director for Serota Properties, the Valley Stream-based landlord of the shopping center.

“They are going to redo the inside of the store and spruce it up,” Appas said. “They are going to enlarge the produce department. One of the reasons they have a tremendous following on Long Island is that their customers are so loyal and they have a large produce department.”

Giunta’s owners Peter Levantino and Philip Giunta opened their first supermarket in 1992. Since then, the chain has grown on Long Island with locations in Commack, Medford, Port Jefferson, Lake Ronkonkoma, Hauppauge, Farmingdale, Bohemia and Holbrook.