Empire State Development and NYS Department of State Announce Completion of $727,000 Renovations to Soprano's Market in Village of Waverly

Part of the NY Forward Program, Soprano’s Market Features Modernized Exterior, New Outdoor Patio, and Expanded Customer Amenities

The Project Received $420,000 Through NY Forward Award

See the Before and After Photos

Empire State Development and the New York State Department of State today announced the completion of $727,000 in renovations to Soprano’s Market, a milestone project supported by the Village of Waverly’s $4.5 million NY Forward award. Comprehensive renovations modernize the community staple, featuring a new outdoor patio, upgraded site lighting, new energy-efficient siding and insulation, complete roof replacement, and the rehabilitation of the parking lot.

“Investments in long-standing community staples like Soprano’s Market are at the heart of Governor Hochul’s NY Forward program,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “By modernizing local infrastructure and supporting generational, family-owned businesses, we are revitalizing downtown Waverly, creating a more vibrant community for residents, and ensuring a strong foundation for future economic growth.”

“Governor Hochul’s original vision for NY Forward is on full display here in Waverly. The program supports locally owned, family-run businesses like Soprano’s Market, which embodies the charm and character of small-town New York,” said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “With these improvements, this iconic market begins an exciting new chapter in its storied history, positioning it to reach its full potential as a bedrock of downtown Waverly. We’re proud to have played a role in supporting its continued success!”

New York State’s NY Forward program—a companion initiative to the successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)—supported the transformation of Soprano’s Market with a $420,000 investment.

For over 50 years, the family-owned Soprano’s Market has served the Waverly community with handcrafted flavors, offering a beloved local destination for its deli, pizzeria, bakery, and catering services built on quality ingredients and time-honored recipes.

Soprano’s Market Owner Margaret Soprano said, “For over 50 years, our family has poured its heart into serving the Waverly community, offering everything from our daily deli and pizzeria favorites to our bakery and catering services. Thanks to the incredible support of Governor Hochul, Empire State Development, the Department of State, and our village leaders through the NY Forward program, Soprano’s Market is entering an exciting new chapter. These vital investments ensure that our family-owned business can continue bringing people together for generations to come.”

Village of Waverly Mayor Keith Correll said, “For more than six decades, Soprano’s Italian Market has served as a beloved landmark on Cayuta Avenue in Waverly. Known across the Valley for handcrafted pizzas, loaded deli hoagies and a case packed with homemade desserts, this multi-generation cornerstone is a true asset to our community. I happen to know that a lot of their goodies are brought or even shipped to family and friends that have moved away. At the very heart of the market is the owner, Margaret, affectionately known to locals as “Boogie.” Beyond serving food, the team at Soprano’s take pride in frequently hiring high school students from the area as a first employment opportunity. Sopranos instills a strong work ethic, customer service skills and a sense of pride in these young workers. I would like to thank Governor Hochul and Secretary of State Walter Mosley for the opportunity granted to the Village with the NY Forward program. The transformation of this local business is incredible, and we look forward to the downtown streetscape and East Waverly Park renovations as well. Congratulations to the Sopranos Italian Market Team for a very successful transformation.”

Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs, FLX Gateway Executive Director Judy McKinney-Cherry and SUNY Delhi President Dr. Mary Bonderoff, said, “The NY Forward program continues to be a catalyst that uplifts our region’s communities. By investing in long-time community assets like Soprano’s Market, we are supporting local entrepreneurs, preserving the unique character of our villages, and creating vibrant spaces where families and visitors can connect. We applaud Governor Hochul and our state partners for their continued commitment to driving sustainable economic growth across the Southern Tier.”

Tioga County Administrator Jackson D. Bailey II said, “Soprano’s Market has been part of the Waverly community for generations, and it is exciting to see this investment help position a long-standing local business for its next chapter. This project, along with the other investments being made through NY Forward, reflects the tremendous momentum we are seeing in Waverly. Tioga County is proud to partner in and support efforts that invest in the businesses, public spaces, and infrastructure that makes our communities great places to live, work, and visit.”

The Village of Waverly was named a Southern Tier NY Forward winner in the program’s inaugural round in 2023. Other regional NY Forward winners include the villages of Montour Falls, Groton, Bath, Dryden, Stamford, and Margaretville, alongside the Town of Urbana and Village of Hammondsport.

In addition to the renovations to Soprano’s Market, the following projects are also funded by the NY Forward in the Village of Waverly:

Renovate East Waverly Park
Create a family and youth-focused recreation facility with pickleball courts, a splash pad, walking trails, fishing holes, a softball field, a basketball court, a playground, a new parking area and the rehabilitation of the existing restroom and kitchen.
Enhance walkability and comfort on Broad Street through streetscape improvements
Make physical streetscape improvements on Broad Street including but not limited to enhanced crosswalks, new sidewalks, pedestrian-level streetlighting with arms to hang flags or planters, curb bump-outs, signage, landscaping, street trees, benches and enhanced parking and open space.
Establish Waverly Waterfront access and trails
Create a new park on land bordered by the Chemung River to encourage paddling, boating, fishing, hiking and passive recreation in the village.
Develop a small project fund to help local businesses
Implement a grant fund for small projects in the NY Forward boundary that will support building renovations, facades, interior buildouts, permanent equipment, awnings and signage.

About the NY Forward Program
First announced as part of the 2022 Budget, Governor Hochul created the NY Forward program to build on the momentum created by the DRI. The program works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the state’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges.

NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by DOS to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary and readily implementable projects. NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities. Through four rounds, the NY Forward program will have awarded a total of $340 million to 77 communities across every region of the State. As part of the FY 2027 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul has secured another $100 million for the program.

About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

Contact:

Margaret Soprano (Soprano’s Market) | [email protected] | (607) 425-3187

Shari Voorhees-Vincent (ESD) | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055

Hayley Alaxanian (DOS) | [email protected] | (518) 530-9922

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