Flashback Fun!

SPECIAL EDITION:

GRAND UNION

Location: 859 Route 17, Paramus, NJ 

Today we're taking a look back at the handful of former Grand Unions that have been featured on the blog as we get ready forr Wednesday's Bonus Store post. (Click address to jump to origianl posts) No hints can be given at this time. Let's just say, when I visited to store, I could hardly bring myself to leave. It was truly like stepping back in time when Grand Union was a groundbreaking supermarket, leaping to the front of the pack with their 80's remodels and extensive "fresh"selection long before fresh was in. 

Location: 60 Sparta Avenue, Sparta, NJ

Location: 435 North Beverly Road, Lake Hiawatha, NJ

Location: 1506 State Route 23, Butler, NJ

Location: 625 Paterson Avenue, Carlstadt, NJ

Location: 10 Wycoff Avenue, Waldwick, NJ

Location: 1189 Broad Street, Clifton, New Jersey

Random classic photos from gustoresforever on Flickr

A few more photos from Retailpocalypse on Flickr

This photo is the only known photo on the internet of Grand Union's futuristic aile marker display. A bit difficult to see in this photo but very grateful for a photo of it at all! The entire unit, which ran from one side of the store to the other, lit up. Plastic sheets with aisle numbers and content lists, as well as product photography, were hung on both sides. Pretty brilliant, as they were easily changed out as needed. The overall effect was incredible and nothing like it has ever been seen in any supermarket chain since. 

Abandoned Stop & Shop – Butler, New Jersey

Bonus Store:

Location: 1506 State Route 23, Butler, NJ

The Butler Stop & Shop has sat abandoned since the store relocated to the former Kinnelon Pathmark in October 2015. The replacement store is just across Route 23. I hoped to visit this place when it was still open but never made it. Wound up passing it on my way to the Jefferson Acme and had to stop for a closer look. I do love an abandoned supermarket! 

Grand Union opened here back in 1971 with Stop & Shop taking over the space in 2001 when GU went out of business. I'll never forget the day I watched the GU employees walking out of the corporate offices for the last time. It was all over the news. One of the saddest days in the history of supermarkets. I actually thought Stop & Shop would keep some of Grand Union's products and services but no, they got rid of absolutely everything that made Grand Union great. 

Stop & Shop dressed up the facade with some dormers and a gate along the top after Grand Union shut down. A similar treatment was done to the the Stop & Shop in Sayville, You can have a look by clicking here. 

As small as this store was, it apparently drew some big crowds. We'll see some evidence of that in the satellite views. 

LOOK INSIDE >>>

The place is cleared out with not much of anything left on the walls. The only design element left behind is the floor which I believe is from Grand Union's early 90's remodels. Back then, they kept a very similar look to their 80's remodeled stores but swapped out the red and white color scheme for green and yellow. 

Stop & Shop added these offices along with their clock. 

The Stop & Shop logo can still be seen but it did not show up in this photo with the sun glare. I resorted to doing some tricks in Photoshop to get make it visible... 

Still a great looking store! 

Stop & Shop road kill at the entrance. 

AERIAL VIEWS

Birds eye views on Bing maps are apparently being done away with. They rarely exist these days for any store I research. This is a 3D view from Google Earth. Kinda lame. 

HISTORIC IMAGES


2012

Notice the packed parking lot at the Stop & Shop!

2006

2002


1995


1987


1979


1971

Grand Union under construction in 1971.

1970

You can view some photos of the new Stop & Shop at the Kinnelon Mall by clicking here.