Jersey Shore Acme, Shrewsbury NJ

Shrewsbury pictures circa 1999 have arrived!

Courtesy of Rob Ascough.

Shrewsbury was one of the few stores in the Northern half of New Jersey to get the the block letter logo on the outside and the Checkerboard Arch decor inside. Back in those days they removed the red oval logo panel and replaced it with multiple white panels with the new lettering. We've seen with the current photos that the sign and has since been updated. 

The window cover panels to the right side still in their original beige and brown color scheme. 

Zoom into the windows... here we see the blue light boxes about the checkouts. The register signs appear to be plain light-up boxes rather than the current ones that have advertisements on the sides. 

Now to the original post...

Location: 1080 Broad Street, Shrewsbury NJ

Winter exterior photos courtesy of Rob Ascough

Unusual front to the Shersbury Acme. Roof design is similar to the "Colonial Cottage" but this store more closely resembles a 33M model. Windows in the right side of the photo were covered over many years ago. This was done often in the 70's to Acmes that had windows extending across a majority of the front wall. Shelving and/or service departments were added along this interior wall. You can see how this was done at many smaller stores like Sparta, Newton and Dunmore. In the late 90's, Shrewsbury received the extensive "Chalkboard Market" remodel. Rockaway and Bordentown received similar treatments which entailed drastic changes such as the relocation of Bakery and Deli departments to aisle 1, Health and Beauty to the old Bakery location and moving Customer Service next to the former Bakery at the far end of the registers.

The entrance and exits were also reconfigured in the remodel leaving just one doorway for all incoming and outgoing shoppers. 

Close-up of the former windows now covered over. That bench has probably been kicking around for  decades now. 

A door was bricked over here. Another door is still intact and can be seen down below...

Not sure why there are two doors here. This would be commonly found in smaller stores such as the "Colonial Cottage" models and the pitched-roof stores where Produce lined this far wall. This door is currently an emergency exit. Perhaps the exit was moved during one of the remodels. 

Scars from the magic carpets of the original entrance and exit. The Bakery is now just through those windows. In the 80's and 90's, the Floral department would have been in this front corner. 

In we go! Photos are a mix of Rob's and Acme Style's...

Rob visited this store back in March 2010. Produce was quite bountiful back then. Selection has since been significantly reduced. 

The "Chalkboard Market" saw a huge reduction in grocery shelf space. The relocation of the Produce cases in this remodel essentially killed all of aisle 2.

Not much happening in Bakery. Selection was disappointing to say the least. I was hoping for some fresh baked whole wheat bread but there was none to be had in the early afternoon. 

This front corner may have been a Starbucks when the "Chalkboard Marker" remodel was done. I believe the last time I was in this store, this corner was being used for the 10 for $10 department. It's now just looking really empty.

Chalkboards have faded. You'll notice too as we move around the store that the original hood lamps from the remodel have been replaced with florescent tube lights. This was done in Rockaway as well. Not sure what went wrong with the other lights. They were still in place when Rob visited the store. You can see them in his Produce shot (very first interior image above).

Fisherman's Net has been shut down for years. Always the first department to go in a store with declining sales. Salad Bar is usually next on the list but it's still open here at Shrewsbury. Just to the right of the soup pots. 

Health and Beauty now in the former Bakery Department. "Caution" sign for leaking frozen food cases. These signs have been out every time I have ever been in this store. 

Another of Rob's shot above. Nice look across the front end. Hood lamps still hanging throughout the store. The "P" and "Photo" is gone. Looks like "h" is on it's way out.  

Slow day at Shrewsbury when I was there. Looks as though competition in the area is really starting to take it's toll. 

And now to the aerials...

The former store in Red Bank is just 2 miles North on Broad Street. (North is to the right)

The shopping center's roof recently painted white to deflect the sun. 

Yet to be painted white when this satellite image was taken. Notice that the rear second floor is not raised up slightly from the rest of the store. 

Nearby competition...

The Shrewsbury Acme took a big hit a few months back when Trader Joe's opened just across the street.  A few years ago it was gigantic Wegmans that arrived just 5 miles south. In the mid to late 90's, A&P opened in the shopping center next door. The A&P became a "fresh" store during the first round of fresh remodels. It's a relatively small A&P as you can see. This model is usually much larger. 

Shrewsbury is further inland than most of the shore stores on our tour. It's shore business was probably much stronger in the days before Foodtown, Stop and Shop and Wegmans began opening up in the surrounding areas. 

Not much at the Shrewsbury Acme has changed over the years...

2002

Interesting that more back room space and more modern delivery docks were not built on to the back of the store. 

1995

1979

Very new if not brand new in 1979.

1970