Downtown Springfield sports a new grocery store

A Big Y Fresh Express has just opened on the ground floor of Tower Square, ending what some have called downtown's "food desert" status. The store opened in the former CVS space, and offers fresh produce, frozen food, drinks,  baked goods, all the staples of American groceries.The closest supermarkets to downtown Springfield are the Big Y and Price Chopper right across the Memorial Bridge in West Springfield. If you have a car, this is a four minute drive from downtown. If you don't have a car, it involves walking with heavy bags (or a cart) across treacherous traffic or taking about an hour-long bus ride.There are small markets in the downtown neighborhood, but they are specialized to Latin American and Caribbean ingredients. The opening of the Tower Square Big Y brings a vital amenity to downtown residents, and workers in Tower Square will also be happy to shop right in their building.