Location: 178 E Hanover Ave, "Greater Morristown", NJ
This brand newShopRite is a replacement store for the small, outdated location in Morris Plains. While the new store is located in Cedar Knolls, the owners have taken it upon themselves to refer to it as the "Greater Morristown ShopRite". Whatever you call it, this state-of-the-art supermarket is a giant leap forward for the ShopRite chain. At 78,000 square, it has plenty to offer. Perhaps a little too much. I was surprised at how cramped the store feels for being so large. The first aisle with all the service and specialty departments is difficult to maneuver through. To get a feel of the layout, you can watch the video posted above which gives a comprehensive tour. The finished product has some different signage than is seen in the animated version. I've posted pictures below of some of the highlights of the store.
The bakery and cake station are directly across from the entrance. If you walk to the right of the "Celebration Station" you wind up at customer service and the front-end which actually runs along the right side of the building. If you turn to the left here, you enter the massive first aisle with produce and all the service departments.
Looking back at the entrance, seen there on the right. You pass by the Pharmacy as you walk in.
Floral is just beyond the bakery.
Seemed to me that the Seafood and Deli counters were rather small considering the size of this store.
A stand-out department is the Oyster Bar. The design of this area is pretty spectacular. If you head to the right and pass the bar and the liquour department, you head into the grocery aisles.
The signage and decor here is first rate.
The juice bar is all the way in the back. There are some registers over to the left primarily for customers buying food to eat in the dinning area.
With such a classy perimeter, the warehouse styled grocery aisles are a little disappointing.
The aisles are split with a center aisle that's called the "Bazaar Market Specials". Not sure if that was intentional tongue and cheek or not but the store would be better off without the giant mess. Tables stacked high with random low-priced merchandise. It's bizarre alright. And crowded.
More awesome signage in the milk department.
Every single register was open. No lines to be seen. I was a little surprised this place wasn't busier than it was for a Sunday afternoon.
The Former Morris Plains ShopRite...
Location: 1711 Route 10, Morris Plains, NJ
I stopped in here a few months back when I heard the replacement store was being built. I've known of this ShopRite for decades and have driven past it hundreds of times. This visit was my absolute first time inside. Glad I saw the place before it closed! The vintage decor was not to be missed...
The place looks very 70's but I'm sure it's been remodeled more recently. Everything about this butcher shop is awesome.
Too bad the new ShopRite didn't stick with this type of shelving for the aisles.
This area of the store was clearly reconfigured at some point. I'm guessing that the Deli or Bakery may have been over here originally. You can spot all sorts of funky tiles patterns on the floor…
Paper towels are in season! Get 'em while they're hot!!
And now the Morris Plains Stop & Shop...
Location: 245 Littleton Road, Morris Plains, NJ
The Stop & Shop, originally an Edwards, is located just across the street from the old ShopRite. I stopped in to see how busy it was compared to the ShopRite and was surprised to see how crowded it was. Also saw this decor package for the first time. Looks like it's one of S&S's cheaper remodels. This store was much better looking when it was an Edwards.
Ok, am I the only person who is driven absolutely mad by the deli announcements? They were relentless the day that I was here. "Deli order 123 is now ready for pickup". They never stopped. Not for a second. It almost seemed like it was a joke. Couldn't wait to get outta here.
Edwards floors still intact.
The Stop & Shop may see a nice boost in sales with the old ShopRite now closed. It's proximity to Route 10 should keep this place hopping'. The new ShopRite over in Cedar Knolls is about 3 miles away. This store could run into trouble if plans for a Wegman's a short way down Route 10 ever come to fruition.
