...okay, this is going to be a long one.
Just five blocks over from Route 9, this Food Bazaar
Supermarket has a lot more going for it. This store first
opened as a Two Guys Department Store in the 1960s. After
the Two Guys chain filed for bankruptcy in 1981, New York
favorite (and later A&P acquisition), Waldbaum's
Supermarkets took over the space, with its current facade
seen today.
Update 10/02/2019
There is a misconception about this location. This started as an A&P Sav-A-Center key 611. The Waldbaum's was on Tonelle Ave. (1&9) towards 60th st. That store was short lived; followed by a ShopRite and that was short lived also.
- former G&h driver
 |
| Photo Circa 2000 |
The store then became an A&P Sav-A-Center, and then a
FoodBasics format by A&P (based upon the successful
Canadian banner), and stayed open until A&P's final
bankruptcy in 2015. The original FoodBasics format can be
seen here on Acme Style.
Food Bazaar significantly altered the space inside. One
thing that I do like about Food Bazaar's format is that they
waste no space in the store. Notice all of the circular
items displayed outside here... I wonder how many times a
day loss prevention is put to work!
This is by far one of the most amazing produce departments
(let alone A&P conversions) that I've ever seen. Food
Bazaar spares no expense to make sure that each customer's
experience isn't only well-priced, but also fun and
inviting.
Considering I live almost two hours away from this store
(and visited other stores in the area that day), this was
definitely a treat for me... I was shocked how cheap the
produce and fish was! If only I had brought my car cooler. I
would have went home with five pounds of fish.
Food Bazaar uses reclaimed wood displays in produce. These
are not only economical, but also eco-friendly.
To save money not only on labor, but also refrigeration
cases, Food Bazaar uses a method similar to a walk-in cooler
in their produce departments.
...the produce just keeps coming!
...and, what followed, was the largest fish department that
I've ever seen in a supermarket.
I swear, nothing is above $15 a pound here... and it's 100%
fresh. No odd smells, "previously frozen" tags, or foreign
material.
Very cool wood background behind meats!
The space then opens up into the normal drop-ceiling area--
complete with model windmills. Dairy runs along the back of
the store, instead of to the side.
The first "grand" aisle is stacked miles high!
Wondering why the drop ceiling looks so impeccably clean?
Dark colors rarely make stains seen. Smart choice by Food
Bazaar!
Where's the beef? By that I mean the deli. It's located on
the opposite end of the store!
The remnants of the original linoleum tile can be seen here.
This frozen aisle is putting every supermarket's decor to
shame.
Deli and Bakery are bundled together. Once again, I was in
awe when seeing the decor in this store. I don't think
anyone can do it better (except maybe A&P, but we've
seen a ton already)
The front end has twenty-three checkouts, with six open.
This was at 9 AM on a weekday! My Stop & Shop usually
has only two or even one open around this time.
We'll be back in this area soon enough to tour some other
former A&P stores!
FoodBasics of North Bergen
1425 John F. Kennedy Blvd
North Bergen, NJ 07047
Two Guys Department Store > Waldbaum's > A&P Sav-A-Center > FoodBasics > Food Bazaar
North Bergen, NJ 07047
