The former arts and crafts store at 3988 Hempstead Turnpike is now listed on Aldi’s website as a future location, confirming plans to repurpose the space. This stretch of Bethpage, New York, is already lined with restaurants and retailers, and is about to get a much-needed grocery boost. Aldi hasn’t shared an opening date yet, but the transition signals another win for the chain’s Long Island footprint.
What the area looked like in 1953 vs. today
The site has been active for over 70 years. A 1953 aerial shows a few early commercial structures already in place along the same stretch of Hempstead Turnpike and Hicksville Road. Most of the surrounding land was still open fields or small residential lots back then.
Over the decades, this section of Bethpage filled in with restaurants, gift shops, fast food chains, and strip mall tenants. The building where A.C. Moore operated likely came from one of those late 20th-century retail redevelopments. Its flat-roof design fits that 1970s–1980s construction wave.
A.C. Moore closed its doors after the chain’s parent company shut down in 2020. Since then, the unit has remained dormant—until Aldi stepped in.
Aldi’s growth continues across Long Island
The Aldi name has become a familiar sight for grocery shoppers on Long Island. Known for its compact store layouts, quarter-cart system, and focus on low prices, the German-founded chain continues to backfill vacant retail spots throughout New York.
Bethpage is the latest to join that list. The former A.C. Moore location gives Aldi a strategic edge in a well-trafficked retail strip near fast food, fuel stations, and other daily needs. As of now, Aldi hasn’t announced when the store will open, but site listing is a strong sign that renovations—or a full interior buildout—are on the way.
Last Updated on June 26, 2025 by F.E.M