Supermarket Project Proposed for South Oakland

Developers have announced plans for a new grocery store in a long-underserved Pittsburgh neighborhood.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A vacant construction site showing a fresh concrete foundation layout, surrounded by urban brick housing and trees in a Pittsburgh neighborhood.
Radnor Property Group has proposed a new supermarket for South Oakland, aiming to bridge a long-standing gap in grocery access for the neighborhood. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Radnor Property Group has unveiled plans to build a new supermarket within a future apartment complex at 3401 Boulevard of the Allies. The proposed 20,000 to 25,000-square-foot store aims to address long-standing resident complaints regarding the lack of grocery options in South Oakland.

Why it matters

The development seeks to fulfill a local need for fresh food access that has persisted in South Oakland for years. The project represents a significant shift in the neighborhood's commercial infrastructure as developers look to integrate retail space into new residential construction.

The planned supermarket will occupy 20,000 to 25,000 square feet of ground-floor space within the building at 3401 Boulevard of the Allies. This project site is located less than a mile from longstanding local businesses like Groceria Merante.

The players

Radnor Property Group

This real estate development firm is responsible for planning and executing the construction of the new residential and retail site.

Groceria Merante

This is a long-standing local grocery store that has served the South Oakland community since 1979.

Frenchi's Deli and Market

This local food market operates a few blocks away from the proposed new development site.

The details

The development, managed by Radnor Property Group, will feature a ground-floor commercial unit housed within a larger apartment building. Existing local business owners, including those at Groceria Merante and Frenchi's Deli and Market, are currently assessing how the new competition might affect customer traffic in the area.

Timeline

  1. Groceria Merante first began operations at its location in 1979.

  2. Developers publicly disclosed the project details in September 2026.

  3. Construction is scheduled to break ground in early 2027.

Market Landscape

The project aligns with the USDA's Food Desert locator criteria by introducing a large-format grocery option into an area historically underserved by major retailers. This development signals a potential shift in neighborhood commercial density as developers prioritize mixed-use retail to capture local demand.

Residents may see an increase in local food availability, which could reduce the distance needed to travel for groceries. Existing shoppers should monitor how this new competition influences pricing and service at established local markets.

The takeaway

The addition of a large supermarket addresses a long-term neighborhood goal for improved food access in South Oakland. Residents should stay informed about construction timelines as the project moves from the proposal phase toward the planned groundbreaking next year.

What happens next

Radnor Property Group is scheduled to break ground on the apartment building at 3401 Boulevard of the Allies in early 2027.

Further reading

For more on new businesses arriving in the city, check out Pittsburgh Openings & Closings.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Pitt News.

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Do you prefer supporting neighborhood small businesses over new large grocery chains in your community?