King Kullen in Hewlett to close Thursday

The King Kullen in Hewlett will close Thursday after 45 years in operation.

The supermarket at 1765 Peninsula Blvd. is the ninth King Kullen to shutter since 2019, as grocers face more competition from discount and specialty brands, Newsday has reported.

The store will officially shutter at 3 p.m., said Lloyd Singer, a spokesperson for King Kullen. The Hauppauge-based chain has 24 other King Kullens on Long Island and four Wild by Nature natural food markets, he said.

King Kullen previously told Newsday the company decided to close the store because it could not reach a lease renewal agreement with its landlord, Elias Properties, though the landlord disputed that claim.

Elias Properties did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Employees of the Hewlett store will have an opportunity to be transferred to nearby locations, King Kullen has said.

King Kullen also shuttered its Middle Island store at 1235 Middle Country Rd. last year. Other grocery stores have closed over the past two years, including four Long Island Stop & Shops in 2024.

Grocers have faced greater competition from discount and specialty stores, and at least six supermarkets are expected to open on Long Island by the end of this year. Golden Farms Supermarket recently opened in Hempstead Village, and a new Trader Joe’s opened in Miller Place in February.