S Foods Supermarket has announced that it has reached an agreement to lease its Worthington Avenue location in Kingston to Afresh Marketplace Limited, a Montego Bay-based food retail group known for its modern grocery experience.

The transition will take effect on August 7, 2025.

The move comes three years after S Foods opened as a creative response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly reduced the operations of the conference centre originally occupying the space.

“S Foods began as a way to utilise our conference facility, which had been crippled by the pandemic. It quickly grew into a neighbourhood favourite, especially known for our deli meals and friendly service,” said Christopher Issa, owner of S Foods.

“We were even exploring expansion into Montego Bay when we were approached by Afresh Marketplace. Their Harbour City Mall store impressed us, and we are confident in their ability to serve the Kingston community while we shift our focus to our hotels and other ventures,” Issa added.

Issa also revealed that the long-term plan for the Worthington Avenue property includes the development of a 50-storey mixed-use tower, comprising a hotel and residential apartments.

Zhiqiang Lu, managing director of Afresh Marketplace, expressed appreciation for the opportunity and outlined the company’s vision for Kingston.

“We are honoured to have the opportunity to expand into Kingston through the upcoming transition of operations at the current S Foods Supermarket location. This move is a strategic step in our long-term growth plan to bring the Afresh Marketplace experience—built on quality, service, and community—to more Jamaicans,” Lu said.

“This is not only a key milestone for our brand, but a meaningful opportunity to engage more deeply with the Kingston community. We have great respect for what Mr Issa and his team have accomplished, especially in establishing the ‘SHOP. SAVE. SMILE.’ philosophy as a trusted and heartfelt part of the customer experience. We are committed to building on that legacy—enhancing the experience while preserving the values that the community has come to trust.”

Afresh Marketplace reaffirmed its commitment to offering high-quality products at great value, creating a more convenient and enjoyable shopping experience, and maintaining a community-first, service-focused approach.

“We thank the S Foods team and its loyal customers for their continued support, and we look forward to beginning this new chapter together in Kingston,” Lu said.