Stop and Shop – Waldwick, New Jersey

The Waldwick Stop&Shop... clocking in at a mere 22.000 square feet... closed on March 2nd.  According to reports, the company decided to close this location after a review of the store's performance. I suspect the age and size of the store were big factors in the decision. I have seen some comments online accusing the landlord for being at fault for the closing. I will say I was totally surprised at how busy the store was when I stopped by despite the low inventory levels and complete lack of a going-out-of-business sale.

This location was a former Grand Union that Stop and Shop acquired in 2001. Grand Union's late 90's remodel remains intact as does the wood paneling from the revolutionary 80's remodel.


All indications are the store was expanded into this section for the 80's remodel. Produce and the Bakery got crammed into the additional space.




Decent Bakery for such a small store. Still chock full of goods in the stores final days. The flooring and décor are from the late 90's remodel which was done at a fast and furious pace helping to sink Grand Union into debt it was never able to get out of. Still kicking myself for never photographing the interior of the Clifton Grand Union. The results were absolutely stunning right down to the old-fashioned styled register lights. You can check out a 90's remodeled Grand Union in East Rutherford by clicking here. Stop&Shop has since remodeled the store sending GU's beautiful murals and props straight to the trash.




Chef something or other is along the back of the section GU expanded in to.


Stop&Shop left this store pretty much as-is when it acquired it. New aisle signs and registers is about all this store got.


Bad attempt to zoom into the décor above the former prepared foods. I didn't get as many shots along the back as I would have liked. This place was crawling with employees with at least two looking at me with a "what's that guy up to" look on their faces.




Some aisles were more empty than others. Guess the remaining merchandise was going to be moved to other stores. There were a few end caps with discounted merchandise but that was it. I couldn't believe how many shoppers were strolling up and down the aisles like everything was normal here.




Another extreme close-up. Kept waiting for that manager to get off his phone and disappear. He never did.


Category signs by Stop and Shop.


Wood paneling from the 80's remodel still on most of the walls around the store.








Frozen was one of the most wiped-out departments in the store.


Looks as though Stop and Shop walled in this area here. It's missing GU's wood paneling and they added a S&S clock just around the corner...




Old school cart coral!












Looks as though the store hadn't expanded by this point. I believe Grand Union's remodels kicked in high-gear around 1988.










Map above shows the Stop&Shop in relation to the Allendale Acme, which will be coming to the blog soon.