Location: 3428 Simpson Ave, Ocean City, NJ
The Ocean City store opened as a pitched-roof model on June 14, 1967. In 2000, it was expanded and extensively remodeled with the Albertsons Marketplace decor. The original building was thankfully left intact. In the mid-2000's, the store received the Premium Fresh and Healthy refresh which included new department signs, aisle markers and the Alberstons leaf on the walls. Not sure if any significant work was done to the store at that time. Finally, this past winter the store underwent another extensive remodel. Back in January, we saw a few pictures as things were underway The photos will are included in this post. About a third of the store, which included all of the service departments, was closed off for rearranging. The results are very nice but despite all of the renovating that was done this past winter, the decor and department signage sadly remains the same. Some of it looking even worse than before the remodel. That all said, this is one wickedly awesome Acme!
A fresh paint job to the outside with the same flags decorating the store as we saw in Beach Haven. Both stores held their grand reopening on May 22nd.
We'll head in on this side...
It would have been nice to at least see a refresh here in the vestibule with the new logo on the wall.
A quick look across the front-end. The lattice structure above the checkouts has been removed and the Customer Service signage has been updated. All new flooring throughout the store. Below is a picture of this area back in 2010...
Turning towards Produce...
I believe Produce used to line the first aisle. It has since been moved to the front corner occupying an alcove created by moving the Deli and relocating the Bakery to the back of the store.
No signage for the new Produce Department.
The Bakery and Deli used to be paired up in this location as you can see below...
All back lighting has apparently been removed from the department signs. It's so dark now you can't even see the word "deli" up on the wall. Black and white photos have been put into the blue light boxes, minus the light. They're barely noticeable. So much work was put into the store and the results are fantastic but it seems like they completely forget all about the walls.
I believe this is where Produce used to be located. Now it's the gluten free and natural aisle. All black shelving which we'll see soon in another remodel. Mostly national branded products here with O Organics and Open Nature scattered throughout the store.
The Bakery is now along the back in the spot formally used for the Butcher Block. Check out the poorly placed "y" above. This are before the remodel is just below...
The Butcher Block has been moved to the pitched-roof portion of the building, along the back wall.
Aisles 1 through 3 are in the newer portion of the building.
Aisle 4 is located where the pitched-roof meets the addition. You can see this area during the remodel below...
Rough time for shoppers during the remodel. A good 5 aisles eliminated along with the service departments.
Immaculately clean and meticulously stocked! That's how Acme rolls these day.
Wild Harvest products still lingering around. The O Orgaincs brand is growing on me. I do like how all of the products in the line are orgainic whereas Wild Harvest was a mix of organic while others were just "natural". If you were't paying close attention to the labels, you might miss the distinction.
The back wall has opened up to make way for the new Butcher Block. You can see this wall before the remodel below...
The letters removed from the original spot and glued on the wall here. Barely visible on the dark brown background. It just seems like with all the work that was done here, even a minor freshening of the walls and department signage was in order.
The Acme sign once located along the front has been replaced with windows flooding the store with natural light.
Dairy was expanded to the whole aisle. Before the remodel, frozen cases lined the left side which you can see below...
Some more Wild Harvest products seen in the milk case.
Ailes 13 and 14 are in an alcove in the front corner...
This used to be the Produce delivery area prior to the store's expansion.
"Express Checkout" signage has been made for the old checkout lights. Additional express registers are also located at Customer Service. The self-checkouts have been removed.
A similiar situation to Beach Haven with an outdoor cage area stocked with beach toys and accessories.
This store is supposed to have a Chamber of Commerce Booth which I didn't see inside.
AERIAL VIEWS
HISTORIC IMAGES
2006
This place does booming business in the summer. It's the first store everyone comes to when heading to the island. A SuperFresh is located on the island about 3 miles north and stands on the property of a former Acme...
1957
A look at the former Acme at 800 West Ave. The store opened on June 28, 1957 and as reported in the comments section in the original post, closed around 1980 when a deal for lease renewal could not be worked out. To visit Ocean City's original post, please click here.
2002
1995
The original pitched-roof building back in 1995 perhaps joined with a gas station there at the corner of the parking lot. There were rumors going around years back that the Acme was going to close and Wawa was preparing to build on the property. Never happened.
1991
1987
1970
1963
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One of the most unique Acmes in existence today! If you get a chance to visit this store, do not pass it up!!