Dairy-themed supermarket retailer Stew Leonard’s is entering the New Jersey market, breaking construction on its first location in the state inside the Paramus Park Mall. When completed, the store will include 80,000 square feet of space. The store is known for high-quality products and customer service at its stores in Connecticut and New York, and it has earned a following for its connections to local farmers and for its sale of unique items. The company says that around 80 percent of the store’s products are prepared daily inside the shop or brought in fresh on a daily basis.
Construction plans for the site include the chain’s well-known quirky decor choices. Stew Leonard’s has been called a “Disneyland” for its unique aesthetic, including animatronic characters and a unique weaving aisle. The chain is also known for its friendly staff and focus on customer engagement. While customers are interested in the new construction project, others are as well, as the store will create 350 new jobs in the area.
In general, Stew Leonard’s has been conservative about its expansion plans. The company was founded in 1969 and expanded to New York 30 years later. The last store it opened was almost two years ago. Experts note that this approach can help to build consumer excitement for the store’s opening. In addition, it reflects an ongoing trend in the area of grocery stores moving into large malls. Other grocery retailers like Lidl, Aldi, and Wegmans have also recently moved into shopping malls.
With the company’s attention to detail and quirky approaches, the construction of the store might be an exacting project. Developers working to build a facility to precise specifications can work with a New Jersey construction law firm to resolve disputes as they arise.
Source: Grocery Dive, “Stew Leonard’s breaks ground in New Jersey“, Lauren Manning, March 29, 2019
