Two New Jersey Stop & Shop Stores Set to Close This Fall as Company Continues Store Portfolio Changes
Two Stop & Shop grocery stores in New Jersey are expected to shut their doors this fall, marking another step in the supermarket chain’s ongoing effort to reshape its business. The affected locations are in Westfield and the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township. Local officials confirmed that company representatives have already informed employees and municipal leaders about the upcoming closures.
According to officials in Bernards Township, the Stop & Shop store located at Lyons Mall is expected to close sometime in October. Township leaders said the company explained that the decision followed a detailed financial review and also coincided with the upcoming expiration of the property’s lease. While the closure will end more than two decades of business at the location, the company has assured employees that they will be offered opportunities to transfer to nearby stores whenever possible.
Workers at the Basking Ridge store have reportedly been given the option to continue their employment at other Stop & Shop locations, including stores in Berkeley Heights, Madison, and Watchung. The company also plans to work with local food assistance organizations during the store’s closing process so that safe and usable food products can be donated instead of being wasted.
The Lyons Mall location has been part of the community for many years. Stop & Shop moved into the shopping center in 2001 after taking over the space previously occupied by Grand Union, which had been one of the center’s original tenants since 1970. Local officials also shared that the shopping center’s property owner has already indicated another business is preparing plans for the site, although no details about the future tenant have been made public.
The Westfield Stop & Shop on Elm Street is also scheduled to close later this fall. Town officials said company representatives met directly with store employees to discuss the closure and explain available transfer opportunities to nearby locations. While the news has disappointed many residents who regularly shop there, local leaders emphasized that the property is privately owned and future decisions about the site will be made by its owners rather than the township.
Officials noted that the property changed ownership earlier this year. Based on conversations with the new owners, municipal leaders believe the site will likely remain focused on commercial use rather than being redeveloped for residential housing. The township plans to remain in contact with the property owners and provide updates to residents as redevelopment plans become available.
For shoppers in both communities, several nearby Stop & Shop stores will remain open. Customers who previously relied on the Westfield location can continue shopping at stores in Watchung, Berkeley Heights, Union, and South Orange. The company has not announced any interruptions to services at these nearby locations.
These latest closures are part of a broader strategy that Stop & Shop’s parent company has been carrying out over the past two years. In 2024, the company announced plans to close dozens of underperforming stores across its network as part of a long-term effort to strengthen the brand and improve overall financial performance. Company leaders said the difficult decisions were intended to create a healthier business foundation while allowing investments in stores that continue to perform well.
Despite reducing the number of locations, Stop & Shop has also focused on attracting customers through lower grocery prices. Earlier this year, the company expanded a pricing initiative that reduced everyday prices on thousands of products across hundreds of stores throughout the Northeast. The move reflects growing competition among grocery retailers as consumers continue looking for better value while managing higher household expenses.
The upcoming closures highlight the changing landscape of the grocery industry, where retailers are regularly reviewing store performance, operating costs, and customer demand. While the loss of longtime neighborhood supermarkets may be disappointing for many residents, company officials say they remain committed to supporting affected employees and serving customers through nearby locations that will continue operating.
Sources
- Stop & Shop
- Ahold Delhaize
- Bernards Township Official Government
- Town of Westfield, New Jersey Official Government
