ShopRite will hold a grand opening Oct. 21 for its new 90,000-square-foot supermarket at 900 Bloomfield Ave. in West Caldwell, New Jersey, which replaces a former location at 540 Passaic Ave.
Sunrise ShopRite, the family business that has been part of the West Caldwell community for nearly 85 years, is hosting festivities for residents and kicking off the celebration with a community concert and “Parking Lot Party” from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 19.
The party will feature live music, food trucks, games, giveaways and family-friendly activities, such as a balloon artist, inflatable corn maze, airbrush tattoos, face painting and a Touch-a-Truck experience.
The celebration continues opening day with a community parade and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“It was important to us to include everyone in this grand opening, and we are so excited to celebrate with our friends, neighbors and the entire community as we prepare to open the new ShopRite of West Caldwell,” said Dara Sblendorio, a fourth-generation grocer and president of Sunrise ShopRite.
“The new store reflects and recognizes the commitment of our family, our retail teams and the loyal customers who continue to shop with us – many across multiple generations. With this beautiful new store and our same strong pledge to service and quality, we will continue to grow with West Caldwell for years to come.”
The new store is twice the size of the previous location and offers:
- Enhanced Sunrise Kitchens – Freshly prepared meals and favorite recipes, a made-from-scratch Pizza Shop, sushi, Asian cuisine and a hot buffet;
- Sunrise Cellars Wine, Beer & Spirits – Three aisles with staff to help find the right pairing;
- Community room – A space for cooking classes, wellness programs and private events;
- Wider aisles and an expanded parking lot for more convenient shopping;
- Fresh bake shop with custom cakes and made-from-scratch breads and pastries;
- Full-service meat and seafood departments with expert butchers and daily-catch deliveries;
- Produce department featuring a large variety of organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables;
- Premium store brands, including Bowl & Basket, Wholesome Pantry and Paperbird.
The former store was also known for its red pagoda roofline, which was inspired by founder Irving Gladstein’s interest in Japanese architecture and culture. He was a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific Theater and made several trips to Japan during his lifetime.
Archival photos showcasing the family history in West Caldwell will be on display in the new location to honor the dedication of multiple generations of family members who built and continue to nurture the business. The new store also will include favorite elements and items like the phone booths posted outside the location on Passaic Avenue.
Sunrise ShopRite’s local roots date back to 1940, when Nathan Gladstein opened his first small food store, Sunrise Market, in Caldwell. His son, Irving Gladstein, took over the business after his father’s death in 1948. He joined the supermarket cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. in 1951 and transitioned Sunrise Market to ShopRite.
The West Caldwell ShopRite store on Passaic Avenue opened in 1967. Thirteen years later, Irving Gladstein’s son, Ned, expanded the business with the first Parsippany ShopRite location.
The new store will be open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The location on Passaic Avenue will close at 6 p.m. Oct. 18.
About ShopRite
ShopRite is the registered trademark of Wakefern Food Corp., a retailer-owned cooperative based in Keasbey, New Jersey, and the largest supermarket cooperative in the U.S. There are hundreds of ShopRite supermarkets located throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland.
Since it began in 1999, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated $65 million to food banks that support more than 2,500 charities. As a title sponsor of the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, it has donated $45 million to local organizations, hospitals and community groups.
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