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. 

Former Grand Union – Lake Hiawatha, NJ

News Break:

Location: 435 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, NJ 

Exterior photos are courtesy of Google maps street view. Interior are courtesy of unknown at this time. I downloaded these a while back from a link that was sent in but I unfortunately deleted the email somewhere along the way. If these are your photos, please hit me up and I will credit them as you wish! A few more former Grand Unions will be rolled out in the coming weeks.

Super Foodtown has made minimal changes to the interior after Grand Union left the building. Their late 90's remodel is alive and well here. I've never been to this store so the photos below might not all be in the correct order. Unsure of what department is to the right just above. Bakery, Produce and Deli are just beyond the dramatic archway.

Unlike Grand Union's cookie-cutter 80's remodel, many elements of thethe late 90's décor packages varied from store to store.

I believe this area of the Produce Department is to the left of the Bakery but I'm not entirely sure.

The Pharmacy sign appears to have been updated since the GU days.

Frozen Food is in the last aisle just like we saw at the Waldwick Stop&Shop. Dairy is in the second to last aisle which was pretty standard for Grand Unions particularly after the 80's remodel. 

This store did not receive the ultra-deluxe/totally retro register lights that were common for this remodel. I unfortunately do not have a photo of them on the blog. 

For a look at a more deluxe Grand Union with the same décor package, jump over to the East Rutherford post and scroll down below the Acme pictures.

HISORIC AERIALS

2002

1987

1979

1970

1963

UPDATE:
FORMER ACME LOCATED
RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET!

Now I remember why I had been holding on to the Grand Union photos for so long. I was planing on getting out this way to photograph the former Acme to include in this post. Completely forgot it was there. Got an email earlier today asking me if I knew about the Acme on Beverwyck Road and then it hit me... it's right across the street! Oh well. There isn't much to see here anyway. The Acme was relatively short lived. Opened in 1963 and was gone by 1979. Certainly done in by the much larger Grand Union. For additional information on this location, click on Josh's photo above to jump over to flickr. 

1963

Just Acme in 1963.

1970

Grand Union has opened by 1970.

1979

And Acme is gone by 1979. You can see the awning for the bank's drive-up area sticking out of the left side of the building.