PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Groundbreaking ceremonies were held this morning in the city’s “Hunting Park West” neighborhood for a new development that includes a much-needed supermarket.

(Photo by Karin Phillips)

Baker’s Square will open next year on the old site of the Tasty Baking Company bakery (right), and will include a 71,000-square-foot Shop Rite supermarket.

Supermarket owner Jeff Brown says the store is expected to serve more than 100,000 people.

“We think that this store, when it’s open, on a weekly basis will have about 35,000 people a week, taking care of their families in just the way that they should be able to,” Brown said today.

Micheal Grasso, president of the Metro Development Company, says Baker’s Square is about 75 percent leased.

“This area is so underserved, it needs retail so bad.  We had numerous, numerous people come to us for space here,” he said.

Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio 1060.