Shopping on the waterfront A&P Supermarket celebrates grand opening in WNY

Don’t know what to make for dinner?

Local residents need look no further than the new A&P Fresh Store on the waterfront, offering a fresh face for the supermarket chain, as well as fresh goods for the home.

“I think it’s a fantastic day for the town,” said Mark Franciotti, store manager, last week. “It’s like a little Manhattan.”

Friday, April 20, marked the A&P’s official grand opening at 19-21 Port Imperial Way in West New York. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega, as well as Police Director Oscar Fernandez and deputy chiefs Martin Mandell and Nicolas Gazzillo of the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue department.

The store also presented the police and fire departments each with a $500 check, and members of the public were invited to enjoy live entertainment and sample the store’s fresh offerings.

“I don’t know if everyone knows we’re here yet, but some of the best advertising is the good shopping experience,” said Franciotti.

Organic living

A&P’s new fresh food concept includes the availability of fresh and organic foods.

With a variety of produce and prepared gourmet meals, there is something for everyone.

“We have the new fresh food concept that came about in the last year or so,” said Franciotti. “We are trying to make ourselves different from other stores.”

The store is designed to compete with stores such as Whole Foods.

“We have about 94 organic [produce] items, which change daily, as well as unique items that you won’t find anywhere else,” said Franciotti.

With a limited number of aisles, the store has opened up a café-style setting and is designed to appeal to the customer.

“Through research we found that most customers don’t want to go down 25 aisles,” said Franciotti. “We have eight to nine aisles and made the deli department a little larger, and as you first come into the store, what you see are fresh flowers instead of the everyday soda display.”

Fresh foods

The store also offers its standard seafood and meat departments, as well as a signature cheese deli counter with an assortment of cheeses and variety platters for dinner parties.

“It’s all fresh, and we have a lot of international products,” said Franciotti.

The meat department features gourmet meats from high-end Kobi beefs to black angus and grade, as well as organic chickens. The seafood department has every imaginable fish, from frozen to fresh.

The bakery offers a specialty bread line, as well as an assortment of dessert and cakes, which can be ordered for birthday parties or special occasions.

Every aisle has a gourmet component sectioned off including gourmet water, sodas, juices, cookies, and more.

Food on the go

Since many working families don’t always have the time to prepare a meal, the store also offers meals on the go from the extensive hot food bar, salad and olive bars, deli counter, pizza station, and even a sushi station. All are conveniently located with café-style seating within the supermarket.

“We get a nice lunch crowd,” said Franciotti. “We’re trying to make a nice little comfortable, sit-down area to relax.”

There is also some available seating outside, and a three-level parking garage connected to the store. The store also delivers within a 20-mile radius for a $5 charge.

“It’s a very unique store; a lot like you would find in Manhattan,” said Franciotti. “And if you couldn’t get something, we would do our best to get it for you.”

In the future the store is looking to allow shopping on-line. Jessica Rosero can be reached at jrosero@hudsonreporter.com

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