CLOSED: ACME — Weehawken, NJ

Location: 4100 Park Avenue, Weehawken, NJ

The Weehawken ACME closed in February 2020, five years after taking over from the former Pathmark. Had it hung on just a little longer, it would have seen its volume go through the roof during lockdown but of course, no one at the time knew what was coming. This ACME location never became a wild success but did do pretty steady business. The final blow for the store came when Whole Foods opened a location in Weehawken, not far from here, in the summer of 2019. As it has turned out, the Weehawken Whole Foods is not only the absolute worst location in the entire chain, it is possibly one of the worst-managed grocery stores on the planet. A full post will be coming soon which will contain years of photos documenting the horrendous conditions of the store, which continue to this very day. 

Back in the day, this was an insanely high-volume Pathmark. On the weekends, every register would be open and the store would be packed with shoppers. Over the years, business decreased as more competition moved into the area and as Parhmark slowly lost its way as a company. 

This store received a massive floor-to-ceiling remodel back in 2011-2012. Literally everything was replaced. A massive grand-reopening celebration was held in March 2012 with billboards and signs all throughout the area announcing the improvements. Shoppers did not return and business never came close to what the store was doing in the 2000's. Course by that point Pathmark was really A&P and no one was interested. 

ACME made very few changes to the store other than one-too-many resets, driving locals mad. 

For a time, ACME made a concerted effort to attract ethnic shoppers to the store by issuing a stand-alone circular each week focused on the ethnic products carried here. There was a big push for the tres leche cake in the bakery department. 

A big problem for ACME was that it was caught between two worlds, right on the border of Union City and the more affluent Weehawken. I believe the Weehawken crowd helped keep the store going but largely gave up when Whole Foods opened. 

Views of the store completely abandoned>>>

LIDL would eventually take over roughly 2/3 of the space, yet it actually leased the entire building. Shortly thereafter, they subleased to Planet Fitness, which now operates in the rear 1/3 of the building. 

LIDL has become wildly successful here. After a very rough start, the store is now managed quite well. 

For additional coverage of the Weehawken ACME, please click here.

ACME – Voorhees, New Jersey

Location: 700 Haddonfield Berlin Road, Voorhees, NJ

Today we're stopping by the Voorhees ACME to see the store's very nice Quality Built remodel. This did include some fresh paint for the exterior, which helps the sign pop off the facade much more than it did previously. The sign itself was not updated, which is often the case, and the "Savon" branding remains, which has been removed from most stores. These photos were taken back in 2024, the same day I visited the Haddonfield ACME. 

BEFORE>>>

LOVE the windows in these '90s-built stores! 

Wall sign not updated in remodel but looking totally fine. 

Quality Built décor inside and looking pretty fantastic! Other changes were made that take a bit of a sharper eye to detect. Improved lighting as well. 

We've all discussed many times that these Quality Built updates/remodels are not the most impressive things we've ever seen but I do love how ACME. as well as other Albertsons' banners, are going for a super crisp, organized look. The company as a whole has made impressive upgrades to their produce departments in recent years, making them superior to many of their competitors, IMHO anyway. 

The newly installed hardwood flooring extends out further than the previous produce flooring. 

BEFORE>>>

Have to say the Alberstons Marketplace décor is my least favorite in the history of ACME. It's not unattractive, but I don't think there's ever been a décor package that has been less representative of ACME Markets. A bit too generic and a sameness throughout the whole store. Also left behind far too many remnants of the 90's Red/White/Blue package. 

BEFORE>>>

The ala carte station was to the rear of the store within the meat department. It was totally removed for the QB remodel. 

All new flooring in this area where the ala carte station was as well as the Wild Harvest and Shop the World aisles. Gone are the days of all nooks and crannies of specialty items, with fancy flooring and high-end lighting. We've gone back to straight-up, streamlined, no-nonsense aisles. Kinda like the way supermarkets were in the 70's.

BEFORE>>

The keystones from the 90's décor have been removed! So strange they were left behind during the Alberstons Marketplace remodel.

Some crazy floor patching on the opposite end of the store. They HAD white tile. Why didn't they USE white tile?? Baffles me every time.

I want to be ACME's remodel manager to make sure this doesn't happen. Also someone needs to monitor the typesetting on the walls which has gone horribly awry in many QB stores. 

Doors added to dairy cases. (Not sure if the cases are brand-new or if doors were added like they have been in many stores)

BEFORE>>>

Some décor elements from the 90's remain in place!

Really nice remodel here at Voorhees. Not the most deluxe but it does get the job done. For previous coverage of the Voorhees store, please click here.