Long-time Anchor Celebrates New, 72,000-SF Store
Village Super Market, Inc. launched its brand-new, 72,000-square-foot ShopRite store at Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung with a formal ribbon cutting and day-long celebration on April 13. The grocer’s much-anticipated grand opening continues its long-time presence at the landmark Route 22 retail center and represents a key milestone in the property’s transformation, according to Levin Management Corporation (LMC).
Village Super Market, Inc. has owned and operated ShopRite at Blue Star since 1980. In 2023, the company committed to a new, expanded lease and in-center relocation. ShopRite continued to serve customers in its original space while the new, state-of-the-art store was built.
“We are excited to open our doors to a beautiful, modern supermarket that delivers quality, convenience and premium groceries to Watchung shoppers,” said Perry Blatt, director of E-Commerce and Business Development for Village Super Market, Inc., a member of the retailer-owned supermarket cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. “The new ShopRite of Watchung is designed to bring an elevated shopping experience to the community, with expanded offerings, fresh meal and to-go options, and specialty items that cater to all our customers’ needs.”
Dubbed the “New Star of Blue Star,” the store features fresh, chef-prepared meals, global flavors, and specialty and premium items. Expert butchers and fishmongers staff the meat and seafood counters, while an expanded produce department boasts a colorful bounty of organic products and freshly cut fruit and vegetables. Customers will also find chef-prepared grab-and-go options, including hand-rolled sushi, gourmet meals and sandwiches, over 600 varieties of cheese, and unique soup and coffee bars featuring favorites from Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market.
Specialty Features of the New Watchung ShopRite Include:
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Gourmet Garage Specialty Items – New York City’s famous brand features chef-prepared meals, sushi, global eats and more, ensuring customers experience diverse culinary delights with top-notch quality and convenience.
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Fairway Market Artisanal Cheese Shop – Over 600 cheese varieties and a skilled cheesemonger to provide suggestions, offering a gourmet experience with every bite.
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Full-Service Butcher & Seafood Experience – Custom-cut meats, store-made specialties, fresh seafood, oyster tastings, whole fish cuttings and top-tier service.
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Expanded Produce Department – Even more organic produce, premium picks like specialty berries and grapes, and convenient cut fruits and vegetables, all delivered daily and expertly handled for peak freshness.
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Bakery Delights – Freshly baked breads, NYC-style bagels and the exclusive Holy Cannoli section, bringing an irresistible assortment of baked goods that blend tradition, taste and quality.
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Fairway Coffee Bar & Bulk Beans – Fairway’s signature coffee blends, 20 iconic bulk blends, seven different bean grinders and a self-serve coffee bar with options like Americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, cold brew, iced coffee and hot chocolate, all with the convenience of tap-and-pay checkout.
A Benchmark Retail Property Modernization
ShopRite’s opening marks a significant moment in a benchmark retail property modernization, according to Matthew K. Harding, chief executive officer at LMC, Blue Star’s leasing and managing agent. Alongside Village Super Market Inc.’s construction of its new store, LMC has taken major steps to redevelop, renovate and re-tenant the 420,000-square-foot, legacy open-air property. Among the highlights of the multi-million-dollar renovation program is a newly completed central courtyard, which served as a gathering spot during the ShopRite grand opening festivities.
“It is always gratifying to accommodate long-time, valued tenants like Village Super Market, Inc. as their needs evolve,” Harding said. “This new store is absolutely gorgeous, and the overall transformation of Blue Star Shopping Center is keeping pace. It is clear that the end result will be a source of pride for our team, the property’s ownership, every Blue Star tenant and the entire community.”
Momentum in Leasing and Redevelopment
The Blue Star redevelopment has sparked notable leasing interest. Following recent commitments with Planet Fitness and KidStrong, LMC is in active negotiations with several more national brands. Blue Star Shopping Center’s outstanding tenant lineup already features Kohl’s, Marshalls, Dollar Tree, The Children’s Place, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, among others.
Blue Star Shopping Center serves a population of more than 255,000 people within a five-mile radius; it draws more than 2.8 million visits annually, according to real time traffic data from Placer.ai. LMC currently is marketing additional availabilities from 1,200 to 50,000 square feet.
