NEW BRITAIN, CT-Price Rite, a division of Wakefern Food Corp. of Elizabeth, N.J., has signed a contract to lease 32,000 sf of space at the Columbus Plaza shopping center here. The deal reported by GVA Williams of Connecticut, is for a 10-year term. Price Rite is a limited assortment grocery chain that operates a total of 20 stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. According to GVA Williams, the New Britain store is Price Rite's fifth location in the Nutmeg State.

According to GVA Williams officials, several other grocery chains were interested in the space; however, the building owner decided to lease the space to Price Rite. Price Rite moved into its new location in late October and filled most of what had been 43,000 sf of vacant retail space at Columbus Plaza. A total of approximately 11,000 sf now remains available for lease. Blockbuster and Cost Cutters, as well a number of local tenants, make up the balance of 54,500-sf outdoor mall.

"Price Rite's selection of the Columbus Plaza is a significant move for Downtown New Britain," says Dominick Musilli, vice president Retail for GVA Williams of Connecticut, which is based in Stamford. "In addition to Price Rite, we have been contacted by several national retailers for additional space at the center."

GVA Williams represented the building owner in the transaction. Lou Proto of the Proto Group represented the Price Rite chain in the deal.