The Kings Supermarket chain cut the ribbon on its second Hoboken Fresh Ideas store Thursday in the Applied Companies’ building at 333 River St.
Alan C. Levitan, president and chief executive officer, gave Mayor David Roberts, the press and members of the public the first tour of the freshly stocked new market and expressed his pleasure about opening second store in the mile-square city. "The city of Hoboken is a dynamic place to be with an exciting retail environment that we are already proud to be a part of," said Levitan. "We opened our first Fresh Ideas, Kings at the north end of town in August 1999 and couldn’t be more pleased with its success. Our second Fresh Ideas, Kings now gives us the opportunity to serve the residents in the south end of town with a full-service, quality market."
Like the first Fresh Ideas, Kings at 1212 Shipyard Lane within the Shipyard community, the new store offers a wide selection of fresh produce, premium meat and seafood, fresh-baked goods, a deli and cheese shop, as well as an extensive selection of grocery, dairy and frozen foods. Parking in the building’s garage will accommodate up to 250 cars and, if shoppers spend a certain amount on groceries, parking will be free.
Applied has not said which other retail stores will move into the development.
"We like to consider it being a supermarket plus," said Levitan. "You are going to be able to find your basic staples like dish washing detergent and toothpaste, but the store also has a wide assortment of restaurant quality items such as sushi and ready-to-cook ‘grab and go’ selections."
Mayor Roberts welcomed the store to Hoboken. "Hoboken’s southern waterfront is one of our city’s most exciting areas," the mayor said. "People from in and around Hoboken come to this area every day to enjoy its novel restaurants and shops. We are happy to welcome Fresh Ideas, Kings. It’s a perfect fit."
Michael Barry, a principal in the Applied Development Company, said he was pleased to work with Kings on its second store. "Applied and Kings have enjoyed a mutually-rewarding business relationship that has been a boon to the residents in Hoboken’s north end of town," said Barry Thursday. "We were delighted to build on that relationship with the opening of Kings second store in Hoboken, because everybody benefits from having a market of this caliber in two prime locations."
Construction on the 8,000-plus-square foot store began last spring. The Fresh Ideas at the Shipyard is 6,400 square feet. With the additional size there are added services. The new store has a small café with seating for 36, an expanded deli, and a fresh sushi bar. The store will not sell alcohol or have and have an in-store pharmacy but will be able to offer catering and servers for gatherings of up to 300.
But what Levitan is most proud of is the expansion of the ‘grab n’ go’ ready to cook selections. "You won’t have to shop anywhere else," said Levitan. "What’s new and different is a tremendous selection of ‘grab n’ go,’ ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat prepared foods, time-saving solutions ideally-suited to today’s busy lifestyles."
Currently, Kings Supermarkets has 29 stores located throughout northern New Jersey and in Garden City and Merrick, L.I. The new store will employ 35 full- and part-time employees. The store is scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.