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Today's post rescheduled for next Friday...

Sorry everyone. My plan to have 3 stores posts 3 weeks in a row was a bit too much to pull off. Today's post is well into the works but couldn't be completed in time. It will go up next Friday.

Former A&P — Glen Rock, NJ

 

Location: 937 Lincoln Avenue, Glen Rock, NJ

Classic A&P photos sent in by GUman for our viewing pleasure. He also sent a third picture of what the store looks like today but the photo was unfortunately corrupted and could not be used. Not to worry, there isn't much to see these days. The location remains in the A&P family but has been down graded to Food Basics. The banner arrived on the scene with much fanfare in the early 2000's but failed pretty miserably. Glen Rock is one of only eleven Food Basics still open today. I tried to get some google street views to share but the trees along the sidewalk are much bigger these days and completely block the view. We're far better off remembering it as an A&P anyway. Even a green one, which was always my least favorite kind.



Now on to a second "Bonus Store" of the month...

A&P — Clinton, NJ

Photos courtesy of Andew K.

Location: 49 Old Highway 22, Clinton, NJ

A second Bonus Store for October! Andrew is treating us to these pictures of an old school A&P in Clinton NJ. I was in this store once years ago. It was the early 90's. I have no recollection of the interior but remember the exterior being rather odd looking for an A&P. I believe this exterior was more commonly used for Super Fresh stores in the 80's. The A&P relocated to this location from a building that now serves as a Rite Aid just a stone's throw away.



Let's take a look at the funky decor inside...






They've taken a tip from Acme and converted the Bakery into a watering trough.






Is it just me or do these old, retro-type stores ALWAYS have those balls? Usually in the Dairy or Frozen aisle. I never see them in modern grocery stores.




Andrew pointed out that some cases in the store appear to be updated due to no shortage of extra cases kicking around from all the closed stores. This store also has the green "fresh" aisle markers. No doubt from a closed fresh market. Interesting how some "fresh" remodeled stores have already been shut down while this sorely outdated store continues on. Quite sure this is the original decor.




Former A&P location now a Rite Aid.


Aerial shot of both stores. The A&P must have been painted brown just recently. This is how I remember the store looking the one time I stumbled upon it.

Thanks to Andrew for the pictures!

Former Acme — Hammonton, NJ

 Location: 80 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ

Today, I present one of the most requested former Acmes in all the land. Guess this one had a pretty good following back in the day. Unfortunately, I do not have much information about it. Will just have to let the pictures do most of the talking. Opening and closing dates are a little sketchy. According to the historic aerial images the store was built after 1970. Closing date was in the late 90's according to several people I have heard from about the store. When I first researched the location through aerial imagery, I had it pegged for a 50's/60's model. Seeing it in person, I realized it was from a later era. Looks to have been an official 33M model.


Produce and Deli side now home to a Jumbo Buffet and Grill. Jumbo's entrance is in the exact spot of Acme's exit door. The old entrance was a bit to the right. Evidence can be viewed below...




Scar from the magic carpet from Acme's exit.


And another from Acme's entrance.


Left side half of the building is now an Advanced Auto Parts store. The current entrance appears to be in the exact spot as Acme's emergency exit. Bakery possibly in this corner. Not sure of the remodel history here. Hope someone can fill us in with the details in the comments section. Windows across the front are all left over from the Acme.




Around back...


I believe this was a gymnastics studio for kids here on this end.




Break room and bathrooms up on the second floor. No one is escaping out of those windows.


Village Super Market ShopRite at the other end of the shopping center. One of the more tolerable owners of ShopRites. Their stores have relatively attractive interiors and have much better selection than the Inserra owned ShopRites which are located in my area. Was this store a former Jamesway? We'll see from the historic aerial shots that this building looks to have originally been a big box store.



Aerial views...







Now for a look at what's across White Horse Pike...


Walmart and an abandoned Super Fresh...


The Walmart looks ripe for an expansion into a super center. The place is kind of a dump. Most of them are even after the last round of remodels. I went in to use the bathroom before starting the next leg of my journey. It's the only thing I'll ever do in the Walmart.


Back down to Earth to have a look around...


The Hammonton Super Fresh was closed when the ax first fell at A&P back in April 2011. The store continues to sit empty with "Caution" tape around the perimeter to keep people away. Didn't work on me.




The decals here on the windows seem to be a carry over from the "Future Store" look of the 80's. The Super Fresh around 1995, long after the "Future Store" look was retired.



A look inside...


I would guess that the decor never changed throughout the life of the store. Looks to have had A&P's standard issue package of the 90's, examples of which can be seen just below...




The above shots are from the former A&P and former Acme in Lodi, NJ. You can visit that store by clicking here. Looks like the Hammonton store had a nearly identical layout.




Bakery was probably located in that far back corner. Tended to be the spot in many smaller 90's A&P's. Kind of a terrible spot since Bakery purchases are often impulse buys.


Wonder why Acme didn't make the jump to a larger location. Could have moved to the other end of the center before ShopRite moved in. Wonder too if Super Fresh knew Walmart was to be setting up shop right next door. In the end I guess Super Fresh had a decent run here considering direct competition from a Walmart and a ShopRite.



Historic aerials...

2007

2002

1995

Acme still open with ShopRite yet to arrive.

1995

A look across the street reveals the Super Fresh under construction You can see the outline of the store if you look closely under ".com" in the center of the image. 

1970

Whole lotta nothin' in 1970.

Updates...

Zach reports in the comment section that the store had the 90's logo and exterior treatment.

Nintendo85 also added some very valuable information in the comments section. The Acme closed in 1999. The ShopRite did not open until 2002 and did, in fact, move into a former Jamesway. Be sure to check out the photos he has posted of the SuperFresh when it was opened by clicking here.

Below is a satellite image of the building Zach believes was the former Super Fresh. It's just a 1/2 mile south on White Horse Pike. Now occupied by a Joe Canal's liquor store and Goodwill store. I am not sure of the location of the former Acme building in downtown Hammonton.