Weis Markets - Randolph, New Jersey

 WEIS REELING IN RANDOLPH?

Location: 146 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ

I stopped by the Randolph Weis back in September. My first time here and my first time seeing Weis latest décor package in person. The last time I was on this property, the original A&P was still standing at all of about 15,000 sqaure feet. The store survived into the late 90's having never been expanded. If I remember correctly, it had been rebranded to a Sav-a-center.

A&P built a new store, behind the original, which opened it in 2000. This was just a few short years before the debut of A&P fresh and for some reason this store was never remodeled to the new format despite lasting through the company's demise in 2015. Weis would open here a few years later and... doesn't seem to be doing too well these days. When I pulled in, I was surprised at the large number of cars in the parking lot but that did not translate to shoppers in the store. As we will see on our tour, many of the services once offered here have been reduced if not completely shuttered. 

Both the store and strip mall were completely rebuilt. The trees here right in front of Weis' windows struck me as odd. You usually don't trees planted this close to a store front. 

I would say this is Weis' best décor package of all-time. A bit busy in some areas but really great design overall. In line with many supermarket chains that are going with somewhat vintage themes for their décor these days, including ACME. 

I was so surprised to see booths as seating options! No tables and chairs. Not very common at all in supermarkets.

And we start off with a whole lot of options that, in fact, don't exist anymore. Coffee? Gone. Pizza? Gone. Sandwich counter? Gone. Olive bar? Gone. 

Weis' bakery isn't what it used to be. Very scaled back these days. Not just here but in others that I've been to. 

Really leaning in the vintage look along the back of the store. 

The first aisle is mostly health foods with freezer cases back at the end. It's also home to some regular groceries like pasta and sauce, which I found a little confusing. You can see A&P's tile pattern on the floor. Not a fan of the floors here. Just imagine how much brighter the store would be with white tiles. 

Significantly scaled back meat counter. Deli also had some shuttered cases. 

For me, Weis has never been an exciting place to shop. No matter the era, their stores always seem flat and slightly lifeless. Lack of shoppers is certainly a contributing factor. I've mentioned before on the blog that I don't understand how Weis keeps some of their stores open, especially the ones here in New Jersey. When I made a trip to the former Sussex ACME, I stopped in the Weis in Franklin. Late morning. Completely dead. A few years ago I was in the Flanders Weis on a Saturday morning. I bought a few things and was the ONLY person checking out at the self-checkouts. There were no manned registers open. I don't know how they survive. 

Fun signage in dairy with some fixtures even being backlit. 

Almost getting a little 90's with the graphics in this part of the store. 

At first I was impressed with how many manned registers were open only to find out they were actually self-checkouts, separate from the self-checkout area to the left. There was only one manned register open. 

Both the dietitian and pharmacy are shuttered... 
 

Above is a look at the pharmacy when it was open, courtesy of The Market Report. 

Nice-looking customer service department! Overall, a very attractive store minus the mud colored floor. 

A look at the store in the A&P days.

Just one look at the interior courtesy of GP Media Blog. Just enough of a look to see which version of their décor was here. This is the one that used fonts for the signage that would be more fitting in a haunted house. 

2002

1997

The original A&P is seen here in 1997 in the lower half of the photo. 

Flashback Fun!

FORMER BORDENTOWN ACME!

Location: 262 Route 130, Bordentown, NJ

This classic 33M store closed in 2007 with a replacement store opening nearby. The interior has the Chalkboard Market remodel, which was an extensive remodel back in the day with the bakery and deli departments getting moved to where produce was originallyy

To jump to the original coverage of the Bordentown stores, click here. 

Former ACME – Glassboro, New Jersey

STEP BACK IN TIME!  


Location: 6908 Delsea Drive, Glassboro, NJ

Today we're revisiting the Glassboro ACME back in the day with the 90's Red/White/Blue décor was on display! 

Google maps has not taken a drive-by of the former ACME in a loooong time. They're showing it STILL open all these years later. 

This décor package always brings back great memories for me. I'll never forget the first time I stepped into an ACME that had it. It was like seeing ACME blast its way into the future after falling behind its competitors. Fun fact too, that very first time I saw it with my own eyes, the store also had signs in the windows with ACME's web address! That was back in the day when the internet was brand-new. I don't think I even had a computer at that time and had NO idea what a website was. 

AFTER THE 2000's ERA REMODEL

I honestly can never tell if I like this décor package or HATE it! It's not unattractive, yet feels so flat. I guess the bottom line for me is that it conveys not a shred of ACME personality. Pleasant but far too generic. 

Nearly impossible to get a good look at the building since being converted to mostly an LA Fitness. 

A former Super Fresh/Food Basics across the street with new store facades breaking out from the original facade...

Illustration courtesy of styertowne on flickr

To jump back to the original Glassboro post, click here.