SECAUCUS – Nick D’Agostino, CEO of the New York-based food store chain, took a 90-minute tour today of a retail site at Xchange at Secaucus Junction. The chain is weighing whether to open a food store at the luxury rental development near the Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station in Secaucus.
Nick D’Agostino was joined by the company CFO and one other official from the food chain, according to Secaucus Town Administrator David Drumeler.
Drumeler and Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli joined the company officials on the tour as well.
“We’re optimistic about their interest in Secaucus and the site at Xchange,” Drumeler said after the tour ended.
Town officials confirmed last month that D’Agostino was considering a move to Secaucus.
If a store were to open in town it would be welcome news to local residents who have complained about the lack of grocery options in Secaucus.
Secaucus lost its last major supermarket in May 2009 when the Stop & Shop at Mill Creek Mall closed, forcing local residents to do their food shopping in other towns. In 2004, Secaucus lost an Acme supermarket in the center of town.
Because of these closures, most residents must travel to other towns to shop for food.
The Secaucus Walmart recently renovated its “super center” to include a new food store within its retail space. However, a few residents have complained that they still wanted a more traditional grocery store in town. And Secaucus officials – including Drumeler, Gonnelli, and former Mayor Dennis Elwell – have been trying to attract a small grocery chain to the town.
The Xchange development includes 30,000 square feet of retail space.
Drumeler estimates that a D’Agostino store could encompass 15,000 to 20,000 square feet of that space. – E. Assata Wright