NORTH BRUNSWICK — With the impending closure of A&P on Milltown Road, township officials are unsure of the future of supermarkets in general.
Councilwoman Shanti Narra mentioned during the Nov. 9 Township Council workshop meeting that many residents have been questioning the closure.
In July, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company issued a statement that dozens of A&P and Pathmark locations will be closed in the near-term “due to lack of interest and significant ongoing store operating losses.”
The company will also sell 120 stores for approximately $600 million as it files for bankruptcy.
The company currently owns 296 stores under the brand names A&P, Best Cellars, Food Basics, the Food Emporium, Pathmark, Superfresh and Waldbaum’s.
Narra said as far as the township is aware, there is no one purchasing the North Brunswick location, and negotiations are private amongst the company itself.
Michael Hritz, the director of Community Development for North Brunswick, said that the township is engaged in discussions with Levin Management, which owns the Brunswick Shopping Center on Milltown Road, regarding the loss.
“It’s in their interest as an anchor to have a tenant there as well but it’s the market there itself that is constricted that is a challenge for us as well,” he said.
Overall, Hritz said that the traditional supermarket market is “shrinking.”
He said that Target and Walmart stores are expanding their grocery selections, while wholesale warehouses such as BJ’s and Costco offer fresh produce as well.
He also said that Aldi is looking at locations to open in the township, though the Milltown Road space has too much square footage.
Narra noted that Acme just completed an expensive renovation in Milltown, so she does not think the store will relocate to North Brunswick.
In addition, Hritz said that nationwide, Walgreens is purchasing Rite Aid stores, but that Rite Aid will stay Rite Aid for at least the short term in North Brunswick.
On a related note, Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack said representatives from ShopRite’s headquarters were planning to meet with township officials on Nov. 20 to discuss a possible online ordering program for residents of the senior citizen housing buildings in town.
“We have to make sure [for] seniors who really can’t get out and travel to the stores … that we’ve done everything we can for them,” Womack said.
Womack said delivery fees would have to be considered, and may require a township ordinance.
He also noted that ShopRite may be able to send someone to the buildings once or twice a week to help with ordering.
Currently, the township transports seniors to ShopRite once a week to go food shopping.
Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.