The Market Report

Original Tenant: ShopRite Address: 1220 South Ave, Plainfield, NJ Opened:  1961 Closed:  1968 Later Tenants:  Pathmark (1968-1980s) > Walgreens (1986-2001) > Times Farmers Market (??-ca. 2014) > Green Farmers Market (ca. 2014-2016) > Key Food Supermarkets (2016) > Fig Tree Market (2017-2019) Photographed:  July 2020 We're returning to 1220 South Ave here at the northern end of Plainfield, outside of downtown. The 16,000 square foot space has hosted no fewer than six different grocery stores during its 60 year life, and possibly more since I'm not sure what, if anything, was in here between Walgreens and Times Farm. I'm not sure whether it was related to Times Farm in Union . It seems that Fig Tree lasted a little less than two years, making it the second-shortest-lived store on this property behind Key Food . The entire property is slated for redevelopment now. It's always very sad to see the "now open" signage still up after the store closes f...

This is one of those stores that just refuses  to work, no matter who owns it. The building was actually an early Pathmark, later becoming a Times Farmers Market by 2007 (probably related to Times Farm at Five Points in Union, NJ), and then a Green Farmers Market by 2015. Green Farmers Market closed in 2016, allowing a Key Food operator to renovate the space, do a grand reopening, and promptly sell the business. Independent grocer David Oh bought the business and turned it into Fig Tree Market, a promising farmers-market-meets-butcher-and-fish-market concept, which is quite obviously struggling. So let's have a look inside! The poles, which used to hold flags, are now just sad sticks obscuring the business's name. But the classic Pathmark sign is intact! Quick look along the front end when you enter. The store's produce department is the best feature, and is fully stocked with a nice selection of standard and exotic produce, along with some locally grown produce....