A vacant Greenwich supermarket could soon have a new purpose: a 216-child daycare and preschool serving families with children from infancy through age 5.
The Goddard School presented plans Tuesday, July 7, to convert the former Acme Markets building at 160 West Putnam Ave. into a childcare center with about 40 employees, including 36 instructors. The proposal appeared before the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) for an initial review, meaning commissioners did not take a vote.
The 1.3-acre site has been vacant since Acme closed in fall 2025. Across the street, Stop & Shop continues operating at 161 West Putnam Ave.
What’s planned
The proposed childcare center would include:
- 10 classrooms — five for toddlers and five for preschool students
- A 6,000-square-foot outdoor playground
- A gym, kitchen, staff lounge and multipurpose room
Attorney Tom Heagney, representing the applicant, said the school would use staggered arrival and pickup times to reduce traffic impacts along West Putnam Avenue.
Drop-off would run from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., with pickups scheduled between 3 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. Parents would enter a lobby area to check in before escorting children to classrooms.
The project still needs site plan approval and a special permit from P&Z before moving forward.
The Goddard School operates more than 600 locations nationwide, including schools in Stamford and Darien.
Historic designation moves forward
Also Tuesday, P&Z reviewed a recommendation to designate the William B. Tubby Jr. House at 352 North Street as a historic property.
The 2½-story Tudor-style home was built in 1917 on a 2.264-acre property and designed by architect William B. Tubby Sr. A carriage house on the site dates to 1904.
The Historic District Commission approved the study report June 10. Under Connecticut law, P&Z has 65 days to provide comments before the report is considered approved.
Other applications delayed
Two additional proposals were postponed:
- A farmers market application for the Parish of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes at 11, 13 and 17 Riverside Ave.
- A proposal from 555 Riversville LLC for a new single-family home and a 9,346-square-foot car barn at 551 Riversville Road.
P&Z’s next meetings are scheduled for Monday, July 20, and Tuesday, July 21. No public hearing date has been set for the Goddard School proposal.
