Location: 58 Broadway, Elmwood Park, NJ
Big surprise once I sat down to start putting this post together... the Elmwood Park Pathmark was built in 2002! I never would have guessed that when touring the store. Felt far more dated but Pathmark never really shook things up with their new store construction. The interior has what I call the "Path to Savings" décor which may have been what the store was built with. If not, it would have had to have been remodeled not long after it opened. This décor package was rolled out to most stores during the "It's about time" campaign which launched in 2004. Not sure when it officially debuted. Fortunately this store was sparred of the obnoxious "SAVE" messaging which A&P unleashed on Pathmark after they bought the chain.
No exterior painting was done leaving the Pathmark and SuperCenter scars still visible. This store does not have a pharmacy which is odd.
The service departments feel a little crammed in around Produce which is another reason why I thought this was an old store. The layout here feels like a step backwards from the stores Pathmark was opening in the mid to late 90's.
The store was fairly busy on this Saturday afternoon although you won't be seeing many people in these pictures. I'm surprised it wasn't busier as there doesn't seem to be much competition nearby and the area is densely populated.
Seafood department in the back is no bigger than a closet.
Clean and bright so why does if feel so old?
The service counter in the Meat Department looks like a holdover from the 70's. Hard to believe this was Pathmark's design for a store built in the 2000's.
Not sure if this store has had an official reset. I should have investigated more carefully but I'm pretty sure this double-wide aisle is leftover from Pathmark.
Looks like Frozen Food got all new cases in recent years.
This store lacks the "Path to (fill in the blank)" messaging on the walls. I unfortunately don't have a picture of that on the blog. The line of "Path to..." phrases were covered over with "SAVE" panels when A&P took over. You can get a glimpse of those in the former Randolph store by clicking
here.
Heading for Acme's good 'ol front-end DISASTER! The standard 3 registers open on a Satruday afternoon.
ELMWOOD PARK'S
FRONT-END DISASTER
The photo above was the line situation when I first arrived. It was even worse when I left. You can see long lines at the 2 open registers in the distance. Things were was so bad at the one express register when I was ready to check out, I put my purchases down and walked out. I did glance over to Customer Service to see if someone could ring up my two items but no one was there.
Enough of my critique of the front-end, time now to hear from some other customers who have shopped here. Below are comments from reviews of the Elmwood Park Acme on both Google and Yelp...
Zahair –
OK but lines are always long
Gabriela – The lines are always long since they don't usually have more than 4 cashiers open. They also removed the self checkout that Pathmark had which slowed things down even more.
Diane –
When your just running in for 1 or 2 things it could take a half hour to get through the checkout.
Lisa –
Good prices. Need more registers open. Clean.
Andre –
Bit pricey and not that many registers open.
George –
Not usually crowded. But usually not enough registers open to accommodate the customers that are there.
Janet –
Oh wait another 20 minutes at the registers, at least Pathmark had self service check out. This place is never crowded but always very SLOW!!!
Dave –
Pretty good sales. But long lines. That's because they only keep 2 registers open at all times.
Cara –
If you are purchasing one item, plan on spending a half hour minimum to check out.
Jessica –
They don't have enough checkout lines open whenever I come here. They should fix that.
Diane –
...and the checkout lines are so long.
And check out this doozy...
Mike –
Went here twice. Both times the front end was such a disaster that verbal arguments resulted.
As I've said before, you can yelp and google any converted North Jersey store and hear the exact same complaints. Is Acme paying attention to all these dissatisfied shoppers? Doesn't seem like it. I was in my local Acme this past Saturday. ONE express register open out of the six available stations. Huge line. Only two other registers open, both with lines. I keep telling this same story over and over but it's the same situation at Acme after Acme. I'm with Jessica when she says "They should fix that"!!!
AERAIL VIEWS
Unusual Kmart at the bottom of the photo...
The Kmart is a former Grandway.
For more history on this store, click on the photo to jump over to flickr.
HISTORIC IMAGES
2006
2002
Never would have guessed this place was constructed in 2002.
1995
Have to say, like so many other North Jersey stores I've been in, the Elmwood Park Acme is not living up to it's full potential.
