MAY 2025

30 — May 2025 — Retail Development — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal

www.marej.com

R etail D evelopment Blue Star Shopping Center celebrates new, 72,000 s/f store Levin drives redevelopment momentum with ShopRite opening in Watchung, NJ

ATCHUNG, NJ — Village Super Mar- ket, Inc. launched its brand-new, 72,000 s/f ShopRite store at Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung with a formal ribbon cutting and day-long celebration on April 13. The grocer’s much- anticipated grand opening continues its long-time pres- ence at the landmark Rte. 22 retail center and represents a key milestone in the prop- erty’s transformation, accord- ing to Levin Management Corporation (LMC) . Village Super Market, Inc. W

has owned and operated ShopRite at Blue Star since 1980. In 2023, the company committed to a new, expanded lease and in-center relocation. ShopRite continued to serve customers in its original space while the new, state-of-the- art store was built. “We are excited to open our doors to a beautiful, modern supermarket that delivers quality, convenience and pre- mium groceries to Watchung shoppers,” said Perry Blatt , director of E-Commerce and Business Development for Village Super Market, Inc., a

member of the retailer-owned supermarket cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. “The new ShopRite of Watchung is designed to bring an elevated shopping experience to the community, with expanded offerings, fresh meal and to-go options, and specialty items that cater to all our customers’ needs.” Dubbed the “New Star of Blue Star,” the store features fresh, chef-prepared meals, global flavors, and specialty and premium items. Expert butchers and fishmongers staff the meat and seafood counters, while an expanded produce department boasts a colorful bounty of organic products and freshly cut fruit and vegetables. Customers will also find chef-prepared grab-and-go options, includ- ing hand-rolled sushi, gour- met meals and sandwiches, over 600 varieties of cheese, and unique soup and cof- fee bars featuring favorites from Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market. ShopRite’s opening marks a significant moment in a benchmark retail property modernization, according to Matthew K. Harding , chief executive officer at LMC, Blue Star’s leasing and managing agent. Alongside Village Super Market Inc.’s construction of its new store, LMC has taken major steps to redevelop, renovate and re- tenant the 420,000 s/f, legacy open-air property. Among the highlights of the multi- million-dollar renovation program is a newly completed central courtyard, which served as a gathering spot during the ShopRite grand opening festivities. “It is always gratifying to ac- commodate long-time, valued tenants like Village Super Market, Inc. as their needs evolve,” Harding said. “This new store is absolutely gor- geous, and the overall trans- formation of Blue Star Shop- ping Center is keeping pace. It is clear that the end result will be a source of pride for our team, the property’s owner- ship, every Blue Star tenant and the entire community.” The Blue Star redevelopment has sparked notable leasing interest. Following recent com- mitments with Planet Fitness and KidStrong, LMC is in ac- tive negotiations with several more national brands. MAREJ

ShopRite store at Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung

Deadline: June 11, 2025 Pub Date: June 20, 2025

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