By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
MARLBORO – A large vacant space in a shopping center at the intersection of Route 520 and Route 79 has been leased to a supermarket.
The Food Emporium, which is a banner of Key Foods, will move into the location.
The space has been vacant since an A&P supermarket that had leased that spot for many years closed on Nov. 26, 2015.
The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, which at the time operated 296 stores under the names of A&P, Best Cellars, Food Basics, the Food Emporium, Pathmark, Superfresh and Waldbaum, declared bankruptcy and has sold 120 stores.
Regal Homes owns the shopping center at Route 520 and Route 79.
“Like any other location that has a vacancy, we went into the marketplace and tried to find a suitable tenant,” Regal Homes owner Jack Werbler said. “Getting another supermarket was a priority for us.”
Werbler said the new lessee will have to acquire permits and undertake some construction work in the space. He said there is no date set for the new supermarket to open.
“Like any other resident, I am excited to see a new supermarket opening in the space,” he said. “Hopefully they will be welcomed with open arms by the township.”
Mayor Jonathan Hornik posted a message on Facebook confirming the agreement.
“I am pleased to announce a lease has been signed at the old A&P space at Route 520 and Route 79 with Food Emporium, a supermarket chain,” Hornik wrote. “We had worked with the owner of the shopping center to make this lease happen as the township would benefit greatly from a supermarket in this location. Congratulations to everyone who worked to make this happen.”