'State-of-the-art' ShopRite of Newark opens in food desert

Opening day

Brookdale ShopRite owner Neil Greenstein opened a second store in Newark, N.J., Sept. 30. The 70,000-square-foot store is located in a food desert, according to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. It is part of a 250,000-square-foot mixed-use project — which will be the largest in Newark, according to project developer Tucker Development — that will include restaurants and residential buildings.

“We are very excited to bring our second ShopRite store to Essex County, with this brand new location in Newark, where we will be a vital part of the community and a good neighbor. We call our Brookdale ShopRite the ‘supermarket with a heart,’ and we plan to bring that same heart, soul and dedication now to serve the city of Newark,” Greenstein said in a press release. “We are privileged to be part of this community and all the great new development that is happening in Newark right now.”

On the grill

Among several prepared foods options in the store, the Springfield Ave. Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Around the world

International stations include the Springfield Ave. Pizzeria, Wok ‘N Egg Roll and Sushi.

Soup’s on

The soup bar offers a rotating selection of soups.

In the kitchen

Prepared foods are cooked on-site.

Neighborhood needs

The butcher shop features a halal department.

Fresh baked

Sweet Potato Bakery sells store made bread, cakes and pastries.

Wild sustainable oceans

The seafood department touts environmentally friendly fish.

In bloom

The floral department features a mix of bouquets and potted plants.

Thinking local

ShopRite hired many Newark residents for the 360 full- and part-time positions at the store.

Healthy helpers

Shoppers can fill prescriptions at the pharmacy. An on-site dietitian provides free, one-on-one consultations, store tours and meal planning.

Community focused

Greenstein (second from right, with scissors) worked with city officials and community groups for two years before the Newark store opened.

“This project is a great example of public and private partners coming together to meet the needs of the community,” said Greenstein. “We are so grateful to the leadership of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and the Newark City Council in helping us bring this ShopRite supermarket to Newark.”