Location: 2091 Route 130, Willingboro, NJ
Last September we had a preview of the remodel here when it was nearly complete. The Grand Reopening was held on October 18th, a very exciting event for a store that was rumored to be closing for many years. Its big break apparently came when the Pathmark, just across Route 130, was marked for closure. Willingboro's remodel was well underway as closing sales were in full swing at the Pathmark. We'll be taking a visit to that store after we're done at the Acme.
When I first heard Willingboro was to be remodeled, I wondered if Alberstons, the new owners of Acme, was going to bring their latest decor package to the store. (Pictures of that package can be seen in the "Preview" post.) I figured that would be happening at some point just like it did during the first Alberstons go around in the early 2000's. Not being thrilled with what I had seen of their decor up to that point, I was glad to hear Willingoboro was getting the third version of the Premium Fresh & Healthy package. Now that we've see how Alberstons brilliantly adapted their decor to Devon, it would have been nice if Willingboro had the same look. Oh well. Things still turned out very well for Willingoboro. The store has a fresh new look and a reduction in competition.
The previous Red/White/Blue decor has been painted over throughout the store. All hanging box light have been removed and the cases in every department have been painted black. It does look like some have been replaced entirely but I believe most were just painted.
Produce Before...
Looks like new tile in the Melon Bar but a closer look reveals the old tile have simply painted over. I can't tell if they painted it badly or of it's already coming off at the edges. Hope they kept a couple extra cans paint so this stripe can be freshened up as needed.
The new aisle markers bring a nice bold look here thanks to the very high ceilings. Interesting to think Acme's use of 3 sided aisle markers dates all the way back to the Red/White/Blue decor days. You can have a look at an old picture from the Burlington store by clicking here. Willingboro had the more commonly used two-sided aisle markers.
The old Bakery sign panel was left up on the all. I mentioned that in the preview post from last September...
Remodel in progress here. The donut case has since been painted tan.
Bakery Before...
Back to post remodel...
No "lancaster brand" sign.
The 90's floor was left in place throughout the store. The "Max Pac" lights have been removed! They hung from the ceiling at this end of the store when the department was added in the 90's...
The lights remained even though the department had been long removed. Max Pac departments were installed in Acme's to help compete with the warehouse clubs poping up throughout the 90's.
Deli and Seafood Before...
The 90's tile on the back wall of the Deli has also been painted to match the walls.
Frozen Food Aisle Before...
Seems to be a little mix-up here. The blue colored aisle markers are usually used for health and beauty aid aisles. Never for food.
The Dairy cases look brand new!
Floral has been removed from the font corner as we saw in the preview post from September. That department along with "Card and Gifts" has become the paper products aisle.
Pharmacy Before...
Floral downsized to a freestanding department by the entrance. The lattice and ivy along the top of the case that we saw in the preview post has been removed...
Exiting on the Pharmacy side. The registers look to have been replaced. Their lights, however, were not. You can see the custom designed lights for this decor package by clicking here and here.
Heading over to the Edgewater Park Pathmark just across Route 130. One of the former Acmes of Willingboro is also noted on the image. For more details about that location, please visit the original Willingboro post by clicking here.
Location: 4355 Route 130, Edgewater Park, NJ
The Edgewater Park Pathmark closed Friday September 6 2013, along with the Cherry Hill and Camden location. This was one of the oldest surviving Pathmarks, having opened in 1968.
The store now sits abandoned...
"Path to Savings" decor package here which was done in the early to mid 2000's. Upgraded with the "SAVE" messaging after Pathmark was purchased by A&P. The plan was to make Pathmark the "price impact" banner of the two chains. Didn't quite work out. A&P has been throwing every idea at the wall to save Pathmark, pretty much the same thing Pathmark was doing through the 2000's. A&P's latest attempt at was to tailor the stores to the local communities in which they serve. They must not have had much success with that approach. CEO Sam Martin got the boot in January of this year. Can't blame the guy for trying…
You can see glimpses of Pathmark's latest decor package in the commercial. I have a store with this look fully photographed and will get it up on the blog one of these day.
Previous decor package tiles can be seen where the registers once stood.
A look at Pathmark's final days...
These pictures were sent in a while back by an Acme Style fan...
I wish Pathmark nothing but the best but I'm glad to see the Acme won this battle!