One more installment in ShopRite week! This time we're heading up to the relatively small town of Oakland, NJ. There's a huge ShopRite, owned by the Clare family, up on a hill overlooking US-202. But the strange part?
The storefront does not, anywhere, have the ShopRite name or logo. (The name is on the back of the store, which faces US-202.) The facade where the Long Hill Plaza sign is is actually an overhang over the driveway where people who have ordered from ShopRite from Home can pull up to pick up their order. Inside the plaza is a ShopRite and two or three smaller businesses. But it's mostly ShopRite!
A panoramic view of the ShopRite and its isolated (and very peaceful) parking lot. Towards the back of the store, in the toy and nonfood aisle, we come across a surprise...
What other ShopRite has windows overlooking such beautiful scenery?
US-202 is the road visible in the foreground, with the driveway into ShopRite visible to the right. This is the beauty that one can encounter in a supermarket just 25 miles northwest of Manhattan! Who would have known? (Except, of course, everyone who's from the area and who has shopped at this store. But still, come on...) The ShopRite is located at 14 Post Rd, Oakland, NJ.
Wow - beautiful view indeed! I'm jealous :P
ReplyDeleteI'd imagine, especially since you're not too familiar with New Jersey, this isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you picture the state. Although we are really congested and crowded in many places, there's still plenty of areas like this, especially in the western parts of the state.
DeleteGood to know! You are indeed correct that this isn't my first image when I think of New Jersey. Related, one of my uncles apparently thought Mississippi would be a run-down dump with no electricity or indoor plumbing prior to finally coming to visit, so I know the feeling!
DeleteWait, you have electricity and indoor plumbing in Mississippi? Haha, evidence #642 of why stereotypes are misleading.
DeleteWell, last I checked, but I can't speak for the rest of the state I suppose XD
DeleteWow, how cool!
ReplyDeleteSure is!
DeleteAs nice as this Shoprite is, the way the aisles are set up make it feel like a giant maze. But it beats most my local Inserra Shoprites.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know how many times I've gotten lost here! The layout makes no sense whatsoever, you're right. I agree, it's not hard to beat an Inserra ShopRite, especially the older ones like North Bergen and Hackensack. Their newer stores are pretty solid, though.
DeleteBeen shopping here almost 30 years. Around 4-years ago or so I walked in the store to find the store completely rearranged and missing the two managers Drew and the other manager who always ran a spotless store, treated their employees and customers well and were always on the floor actively working and interacting with customers. Little by little all of the employees are gone but shavqua, to include the handicapped employees that worked the registers, bagged or helped put groceries in the car. What does that tell you. So far they’ve rearranged the store several times and no one knows where anything is, fruit/ vegetable aisle makes no sense and every time they completely change the aisles around many are aimlessly wondering around the store again. They used to play the specials all the time which was great, now the only message you hear on repeat is that they now take wik.
ReplyDeleteThe place is a mess! Bring back your old managers and caring staff who always went out of their way to greet and help the customers from the entrance to the curb and with a smile. Too late for myself and many others who feel the same who sadly have left for Wyckoff ShopRite. Kills me because I believe in supporting local business but without Drew and the local workers and the constant disorganized way they keep rearranging the store, like so many others, I’m out. Lori Dent, Oakland NJ
Hi Lori, as you may be aware I'm not actually related in any way to the ShopRite or its owners, I just write about supermarkets and the grocery business. However, I can tell you that around a year and a half ago, the store was sold. It seems that the former owners (the Clare family) retired and sold the store to ShopRite corporate, SRS (ShopRite Supermarkets Inc.). I would recommend contacting ShopRite customer service directly if you haven't yet, or speaking with a manager on-site.
DeleteThis ShopRite has gone down hill.
ReplyDeleteShould be called downhill plaza.