A ceremonial breaking of bread signified the grand opening of the BJ’s Wholesale Club in North Brunswick on April 13. With the breaking of a loaf of bread, BJ’s Wholesale Club officially opened its doors in North Brunswick over the weekend.
In July 2011, the Planning Board approved the application from Prestige Properties for the 110,000-square-foot warehouse to replace the mostly vacant buildings in the Commerce Center at 2451 Route 1 South.
Less than two years later, Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack and Township Council members were on hand for the grand opening on April 13.
A soft opening was held April 6, store general manager Jose Rodriguez said.
“Our stores provide our customers with one-stop convenient shopping for large and small families,” he said, noting that BJ’s carries more than 7,000 products.
Special features at the club include BJ’s Fresh Bakery, a full-service deli, grocery store and stock-up sizes, rotisserie chicken, the new BJ’s Café, an optical department and a Verizon Wireless kiosk.
The North Brunswick store, which is employing more than 130 people from the area, is located several miles from BJ’s locations in Edison and Hamilton.
Greg and Mary DiLalo, of East Brunswick, said they signed up for a BJ’s membership on April 12. The two said they had been members of another membersonly warehouse club until it relocated from their town a few years ago.
The DiLalos noted that BJ’s allows customers to use both manufacturer and store coupons.
“That is what sold us,” Mary DiLalo said, also noting that BJ’s sells the brand of dog food they buy.
Linda Kelly, of South Brunswick, also stopped by for the grand opening.
“The fact that they honor those [manufacturer] coupons is great,” she said. “I have heard good things, so I thought, ‘Why not try it out?’”
Kasey Monaghan, of North Brunswick, said it is nice to have a BJ’s store nearby.
“I am nervous about the traffic that may be coming, but it is convenient,” she said. During the grand opening, club members and the public at large were invited to sample foods and beverages, and visit with balloon artists and face painters. BJ’s also gave away reusable shopping bags and provided information about the selection of organic and all-natural foods.
Rodriguez said the club looks forward to establishing strong relationships in the township and surrounding areas.
The new club has partnered with John Adams Elementary School as part of BJ’s Adopt-a-School program. The school will receive a donation to enhance educational programs and curriculum objectives, and a shopping cart full of school supplies. The club also made donations to three local organizations — providing $3,000 to Women Aware in New Brunswick; $1,500 worth of diapers, wipes and formula to New Brunswick Tomorrow; and $3,000 to the North Brunswick Public Library.
After Prestige Properties bought the Commerce Center in 2004, the section where BJ’s sits received approval for a supermarket, office and retail space. However, after years of pursuing supermarket chains, Prestige said it could not find a grocer for the property. Prestige representatives said the BJ’s store will make the property successful.
The BJ’s club in North Brunswick is the 21st in New Jersey.
Inner Circle and Business Memberships are $50 per year. BJ’s Rewards memberships are also available for $100 a year, enabling members to earn 2 percent back on qualifying purchases.
The club is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information, visit bjs.com/northbrunswick.