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 Interesting how some "fresh" remodeled stores have already been shut down while this sorely outdated store continues on.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. 

Former Acme — Harve De Grace MD

Photos courtesy of Gary A.

Location: 1000 Pulaski Highway, Havre De Grace, MD

Save A Lot has returned to Harve De Grace by making its home in the former Acme. Guess we should be happy the building was kept in the family. Not really. But the good news is... they kept the place intact! Pretty amazing what a couple gallons of paint can do for an old 33M model, don't you think? Below is a picture of the Acme after it closed...

The exterior didn't get much love in all the years that it was open.


The interior did, however, get the awesome 80's remodel! The 2nd to last store in the chain to still have it. The other being Sharon Hill which will be closed by year's end.


This marks the return of Save A Lot to Harve De Grace. The original location, which was over on Congress Avenue in what  may have been a former A&P, closed back in October 2010. This new location opened in April 2012 under new ownership. You can read about the troubles of the old location at HarveDeGrace Patch.com by clicking here. You'll also see a picture of the old store. Perhaps someone can verify it was  a former A&P. A write-up of the new store opening can also be found at HarveDeGracePatch.com by clicking here. Thanks to Gary for all the photos seen in this post and for the links to the articles.


One big change to the exterior has been the relocation of the entrance to the side. The original entrance is no longer used but remains intact with its glass covered over. You can see it if you look closely at the picture of the front of the store. The exit remains in the same spot as it was in the Acme.


The interior has been completely made over from floor to ceiling. Even the lights, which look like they could have been left over from the Acme, are new. You can see the original recessed-style lights in the abandoned Acme photo up above. Here we are just inside the entrance. Note the store signage... same kind of set up as in the latest round of decor for Acme. Banner with department name hanging from the ceiling with product images on either side. SuperValu is keeping a consistent look to their stores. Does anyone know if any "Essential Everyday" products are available at Save A Lot?


Front of the store extends to the right with the office behind the red wall there.


Looking up towards the front of the store with the entrance on the right.




Tops out at 7 aisles, which I believe is more than a typical Save A Lot. The Acme had 12 aisles. Doesn't look like this store is sharing the space with another store. This seems to be confirmed in the photo of the store front in the HarveDeGracePatch article. Click here for a look. Perhaps there wasn't enough room left over to offer up as another store front.

Thanks again to Gary for providing us with pictures of the old Harve De Grace Acme!