Whole Foods Coming to Cherry Hill's Ellisburg Circle in 2014 (Union: sales, apartments)

[speno]

As suspected:

Whole Foods Coming to Cherry Hill's Ellisburg Circle in 2014 - Cherry Hill, NJ Patch

[CH101]

Nice to see it finally official after all the speculation in the other thread.

"There’s some work that will need to be done on the shopping center—mostly cosmetic—before Whole Foods moves in, FRIT representatives said, but other major improvements, including ground- and roof-mounted solar panels and a rain garden, were completed in the last year."

This statement above confirms what they have been working on in the months since Genuardi's closed. But why are they waiting until 2014 to open? That seems very far in the future for "mostly cosmetic" work that needs to be done per the statement.

It will be interesting to see if Whole Foods bid in the upcoming liquor license auction, now that Cherry Hill plans to allow liquor sales in supermarkets.

[avg12]

WF has some other new store openings elsewhere in the country. I think it's not uncommon as store openings are typically done in phases, or for a public company, quarters. Hopefully, WF will be redoing the restroom which was left dirty by Safeway/Genuardi's even two years prior to closure.

[avg12]

I wonder if Trader Joes will be next for a second store closer to the busy shopping area of Cherry Hill.

I can't think of a decent site. Maybe one in Maple Shade next to Lowes Hardware at the former Ballys fitness site, between CH and Moorestown Malls. It's not a big center but maybe viable as it's off of 73 and 38.

[avg12]

Philly Inquirer Article:
Whole Foods will add a Cherry Hill store next year


The township, preparing to auction off a new liquor license, is considering eliminating a rule that bars supermarkets from selling liquor.


In a statement through a Federal Realty representative, Whole Foods said it believed state laws would prevent it from bidding on a license.


"The state liquor laws only allow a company to operate two licenses in New Jersey, which we currently have active in Middletown and Paramus," said Scott Allshouse, the company's mid-Atlantic region president. "While we'd love to offer that convenience to our shoppers, it's unlikely unless that law were to change."

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Interesting so no liquor in WF of Cherry Hill. So, could ShopRite of Cherry Hill (Evesham Rd. or Cornell Ave) then bid on one the liquor licenses?

[CH101]

Other supermarkets get around this law by having family members buy licenses. Judging by the statement though, it appears Whole Foods is not interested. I could see maybe ShopRite at Cornell Ave bidding for it. I think they actually have empty store space they could fill. (on the left when you walk in where the old Dunkin Donuts was)

[soug]

Originally Posted by avg12

So, could ShopRite of Cherry Hill (Evesham Rd. or Cornell Ave) then bid on one the liquor licenses?

The ShopRite in Berlin has one of the two possible licenses. I'm not sure if they have another one in the state.

[avg12]

I didn't know of this rule, but ShopRite might be treated differently because it's a co-op and thus store ownership varies.

ShopRite of Cherry Hill (Ravitz family) operates:
Cornell Ave., CH
Evesham Rd., CH
Brace Rd., CH (closed)
Route 70, Marlton
East Gate Sq., Mt. Laurel
Union Mill Rd., Mt.Laurel
(Note: the Ark Rd., Mt.Laurel store is operated by Eickhoff).

If ShopRite of CH got it, I could see it using it for the Evesham Rd. location since it's on the wealthier side. I think the family lives in this side of town not the west side of town. The Marlton location is large and maybe it would use it there (perhaps buying out Genuardi's license), but there is a WineWorks in the shopping center.

Or, it could also use it to re-open the Brace Rd. site instead. I think with the apartments coming up, possible liquor, the loss of traditional grocers (Westmont Superfresh and Ellisburg Genuardi's), and Acme in weaker position, assurance now that Ellisburg won't go to a direct rival, discounters heavy in food - Target and Wal-Mart somewhat far from the site, it might be suitable for ShopRite of CH to re-open Brace Rd, which would be closest SR to Haddonfield and the surrounding area, and easy access from I-295.

How does Canal's get around this 2 per state limit rule? Is it a co-op as well?

[withasigh]

Originally Posted by CH101

Other supermarkets get around this law by having family members buy licenses. Judging by the statement though, it appears Whole Foods is not interested. I could see maybe ShopRite at Cornell Ave bidding for it. I think they actually have empty store space they could fill. (on the left when you walk in where the old Dunkin Donuts was)

Whole Foods may have a problem accomplishing something like that since they are a publicly traded company. Or maybe they haven't gotten good legal advice about this issue yet.

[wardwhirlboromarlpool1955]

I was wondering... considering there's a Stein Mart in the corner of Ellisburg right now, would Stein Mart be opposed to opening another store where Super Fresh just closed in Marlton? It would definitely be refreshing to see a Stein Mart open there because that shopping center has never really been "cool" but Stein Mart would bring it back to life. The size of the A&P/Super Fresh building is about right for a Stein Mart.