New Food Emporium to Anchor Pluckemin Center

Tomorrow, December 11^th, at 8:00 a.m., The Fresh Market plans to welcome food lovers on the occasion of its grand opening at the Somerset Hills Shopping Center. 

The Fresh Market takes over the Former A&P
operation at a totally renovated Somerset Hills
Shopping Center.  (Credit/Dick Bergeron)

This new food store is in the historic Pluckemin section of Bedminster, NJ, at the spot where Route 202/206 connects with Burnt Mills Road to the west and Washington Valley Road to the east.  It is one of the busiest little intersections in Somerset County.

According to a press release, The Fresh Market is a specialty store of over 22,100 square feet.  It boasts an on-site bakery that offers 30 varieties of bread and 14 different pie selections each day.  It also features a full service meat counter, fresh seafood delivered twice a week, a huge selection of cheeses, and a produce department with over 400 items and a large organic selection.

Although this company has 149 stores in 26 states, the one is Pluckemin is only the second in New Jersey.

After the A&P decided to close down its operations at the same location, it became clear that it would not be too long before another business moved in.
 

That little location is prime retail space.  In the heart of Somerset County, it is sited at an easily accessible corner traversed by four-way traffic all day long.  From a marketing standpoint, it is also graced with traffic lights which halt motorists, giving them a chance to consider whether they should stop to pick up some groceries on the way home.

That spot has everything going for it.  It is a retail magnet.  This marketing assumption was fully put to the test during the construction and renovation process.  Parking was a nightmare, and construction activities posed a dicey situation, despite the best efforts of the planners and contractors involved in the project.

Nonetheless, customer loyalty was fully in evidence as people continued to patronize Dunkin Donuts, Valley Pharmacy, and all of the other small shops.

But that’s all over with now. 

If you get there early Wednesday morning, you may be one of the first 1000 customers who will be given a free sample-sized bag of gourmet coffee and a reusable shopping bag. 

Why not to all customers for the whole day?

Best of wishes for prosperity to The Fresh Market and to all of the other businesses at the Somerset Hills Shopping Center.

(Click on the image for an enhanced view.)