July 10 will mark the final day of business at the Stop & Shop supermarket at 700 Tennent Road, Manalapan.
In a press release issued on June 10, the New York-based Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. announced the company will close the Manalapan store.
“After a thorough review of the operating performance of our stores, we made the difficult business decision to close our Manalapan store location,” said Don Sussman, Stop & Shop’s New York Metro Division president. “We regret any inconvenience this will cause and encourage our customers to shop at our Freehold Township store at 160 Village Center Drive, which is 6 miles from our Manalapan store,” Sussman said.
All 80 associates from the Manalapan store will be offered positions to work in other Stop & Shop stores in New Jersey, according to the press release.
Responding to the news of the store’s closing, Mayor Jack McNaboe said, “It is sad to see any Manalapan businesses close and especially sad to see anyone lose their job.”
McNaboe said the employees are local residents who “know the area and clientele.”
“I am sure they will find employment in the competitors of the area,” he said. “The supermarket business is extremely competitive with low margins where only the strong survive and the local residents benefit from a competitive business environment.
“Unfortunately, this store was in an extremely saturated Route 9 corridor, competing against some of the best in the business. The competition has increased tremendously on Route 9 in the last few years in northern Manalapan and Marlboro.
“The Township Committee and its Economic Development Council look forward to working with the owners and agents of the shopping center to bring in a strong tenant to fill the vacancy. I wish Stop & Shop management luck in the future and thank them for their years in Manalapan.”