ShopRite / Penn Fruit, Belmar, NJ
As the postwar suburban sprawl spread throughout New Jersey in the 1950's, it made its way down into Central New Jersey and what was typically the "Jersey Shore" area. This extremely unique ShopRite building was built as a Penn Fruit supermarket during this era to accommodate the many people relocating to this area. Penn Fruit had its roots in Philly, but by the 50's, the company was building its trademark barrel-roofed stores in Northern New Jersey and New York City.
In 1971, Penn Fruit's sales were up 27% to a record $372 million and its income was soaring. It had also made a very powerful enemy in A&P by opening an innovative rock-bottom discount grocery store in New Jersey which put the neighboring A&P out of business. A&P, with its thousands and thousands of stores coast-to-coast, was ready to fight for its market share, and it started the great 1972 Price War in Philadelphia, which ultimately led to the demise of Penn Fruit and Food Fair.
The Penn Fruit Company threw in the towel in 1975 and ShopRite took over quite a few of their stores, including this store and a similar store in Paramus (which has since been demolished).
The Belmar store has remained ShopRite for the last 40 years, with very few changes to the store, both inside and out. The surrounding area skews older and whiter than most of New Jersey, and the slower place of change (and life in general) in these communities seems to suit the locals, which hopefully means few changes to this classic store.
You can see the similarity to the former Waldbaums of Fresh Meadows, Queens and the Dollar General in Woodlyn, PA (all former Penn Fruits).
ShopRite / Penn Fruit, Belmar, NJ
As the postwar suburban sprawl spread throughout New Jersey in the 1950's, it made its way down into Central New Jersey and what was typically the "Jersey Shore" area. This extremely unique ShopRite building was built as a Penn Fruit supermarket during this era to accommodate the many people relocating to this area. Penn Fruit had its roots in Philly, but by the 50's, the company was building its trademark barrel-roofed stores in Northern New Jersey and New York City.
In 1971, Penn Fruit's sales were up 27% to a record $372 million and its income was soaring. It had also made a very powerful enemy in A&P by opening an innovative rock-bottom discount grocery store in New Jersey which put the neighboring A&P out of business. A&P, with its thousands and thousands of stores coast-to-coast, was ready to fight for its market share, and it started the great 1972 Price War in Philadelphia, which ultimately led to the demise of Penn Fruit and Food Fair.
The Penn Fruit Company threw in the towel in 1975 and ShopRite took over quite a few of their stores, including this store and a similar store in Paramus (which has since been demolished).
The Belmar store has remained ShopRite for the last 40 years, with very few changes to the store, both inside and out. The surrounding area skews older and whiter than most of New Jersey, and the slower place of change (and life in general) in these communities seems to suit the locals, which hopefully means few changes to this classic store.
You can see the similarity to the former Waldbaums of Fresh Meadows, Queens and the Dollar General in Woodlyn, PA (all former Penn Fruits).