Classic Acme (and MORE)! Mantua NJ

Location: 222 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua NJ

CLOSED February 28, 2013

A sharp looking classic Acme from the outside thanks to the updated color scheme that spread from the neighboring Kmart. The new block letter logo was also added recently. Mantua may have been the last location to still have the red oval logo. In an unusual set-up, the old sign was was not built into the awning. The square box housing the sign was instead mounted to the awning. You can seen the mounting devices which remain in place around the new block letter logo.

This store still has the classic "33M" layout... although it may not quite as large as 33,000 square feet. The interior has the the "Convenience Store" decor which is well over 10 years old now. Prior to that, the store had "80's Remodel". Many elements from the 80's can still be found. From the checkerboard floor, to the Deli and Meat cases which remain in place since the 80's. Produce and Dairy have since had their cases upgraded. And the store still has the dreaded CSR stand! Haven't seen one of those in person in years. Although it's kinda blocked in and not utilized for Customer Service.

Heading inside...

Customer Service restored! The CSR stand is around the right-hand corner. 

The 70's and 80's Floral Department now is the "10 for $10" alcove. You can see the checkerboard floor here. Green(ish) for Produce. 

Still says it on the wall but there isn't much of a Floral Department these days. Mantua is one of the only I've been in that still has this decor. I'm usually photographing this look through the windows at abandoned locations. 

If you look closely at the Deli service case, you can see it remains from the 80's Remodel. The green stripe along the bottom of the case windows is the clue. You can see better if you click the picture to enlarge it. 

Not much to see here on aisle 6? Quite to the contrary. First of all... the aisle markers may have been hanging here since day 1!  This store opened sometime in the early 70's. The aisle markers were one of the very few elements in the stores that were not changed out during the 80's remodels. Seemed like a strange decision as they were looking a little dated even at that point. It's hard to believe that they haven't been replaced with aisle markers from stores that have closed which happens often at these older locations. 

Secondly... check out that "Price Accuracy Guarantee" sign! The ink has completely faded away. Just a shadow of it's former self.  Could that sign still be there from the days the scanners arrived at the checkout stands in the 80's?

Thirdly... no checker board floor here. The tiles in the aisles have either been replaced since the 80's or... never did get the checkerboard treatment as these tiles look quite old. It's more common for the permitter of the store to get a new tile treatment during light remodels and leaving the checkerboard pattern up and down the aisles. 

And last observation... which is hard to see in the pictures... the shelving here is still at least as old as the 80's Remodel. If not older. Being in this store was certainly like stepping through many different eras of Acme. It's a must-see for the serious Acme fan. Considering it's age and lack of upgrades, the store appears to be very well managed and staffed with friendly employees.

Currently has 12 ailes. Probably had 13 back in the day before aisle 1 was killed to expand Produce. 

Not much of a Bakery. The department is now filled mostly with sale items and displays. I would guess that the Bakery was added in during the 80's and was not part of the original store.

Back outside for exterior views...

Bad sun glare here. This store is very similar to the Jersey City location. I love the huge front windows that let you see the entire interior from outside. 

Some remaining Acme trucks are still kicking around. The logos are being removed as the warehouse house has changed from Acme to SuperValu. Trucks will no longer be branded with store logos. 

Still a far superior logo to the block letter logo of today...

Aerial shots show the Acme with the old sign on front. 

Still a "Big Kmart" from this angle as well.

Switch the view and the stores instantly update! New signage on both Acme and Kmart...

I took a couple of interior shots of this remodeled Kmart. Looks pretty good on the inside. This is not the deluxe remodel that other stores have received but it does have new bolder colors instead of just sticking with the orange and brown remodel theme.

As much as these remodels help spruce up these old stores, Kmart still seems stuck in the past. 

Outside of the Kmart looking down towards the Acme.

Not much of an evolution to be seen from 1995 to 2000 historical views.

The view below shows this shopping center arrived after 1970.

And now for the bonus content of this post...

Location: 631 Bridgeton Pike, Woodbury NJ

(Approximately 3 miles / 9 minutes from the Mantua Acme)

The Woodbury Acme, just a stone's throw from the Mantua store. There's not a whole lot to see here at this location. A standard 90's replacement store. Replacement for what? Well... turns out there was a very old Acme in this very spot. I had no idea until I just happened to drive by and see the huge Acme sign that still remains out at the road. We'll take a look at that down below. 

Woodbury recently received the scaled back "Premium Fresh and Healthy" look. Floor tile evidence throughout the store showa that the store had the deluxe Industrial Circus Decor prior to the recent remodel. You can read the press release for the remodel by clicking here.

Windows remain in Produce. They're often sealed over and covered with mirrors.

Not the most exciting department signage. The original PF&H decor had the signage backlit for a pretty cool effect. You can see an example here.

The Albertsons leaf. To me it's nothing more than a reminder that Acme is no longer American Stores. The good news... the leaf is gone from the latest round of remodels!

I can't help but wonder if this area used to look liked more like this before the remodel. I know, I know... gotta tone down the decor to direct all focus to the merchandise. It's all just looking a little too generic... and brown... for my taste. 

Still seeing read here while alot of the front signage of Premium Fresh and Healthy remodels have gone white. The windows of the foyers have been covered with pictures of apples.

Would you look at that parking lot! In all my years of researching Acme aerial shots, I can honestly say I've never seen an Acme parking lot this jam packed. And Acme is the only store here. No one is shopping at Mandee or picking up their dry cleaning. All Acme. Pretty impressive.

And now to the signage still left over from the old 50's store but now with the updated logo...

First time I have ever seen this giant old sign still standing in front of a modern day Acme. Are there more of these out there still servicing Acme stores?

Check out the aerial shot of the sign. It used to be a 3D treatment with Acme and Savon next to each other at the top. Red lettering on a white background.

Brand-new as of 1995.

The Acme is to the northern side. The other building arrived years after the Acme did.

The Acme all alone in 1967. I'm endlessly fascinated with how far from the road they used to build these stores and how huge the parking lots were. 

Crystal clear view from 1963. By the way, the road out the back is called Acme Way.

The Mantua Acme at the bottom, Woodbuy at the top with a relatively small ShopRite in between.