One of the most prominent cities along the Jersey Shore could finally be getting a major supermarket and officials are hopeful that construction could begin on the project later this year.
Plans to bring a ShopRite to Atlantic City have been in the works since at least 2019 and have heated up in recent months. The brand’s parent company, Village Supermarkets LLC, recently made it official by submitting an application that would revitalize an entire block near the Atlantic City Convention Center.
The property in question, which spans about four acres, currently consists of a surface parking lot and has an address of 1801 Baltic Avenue. Situated between Ohio and Indiana avenues, the submitted proposal would construct a 44,000-square-foot market surrounded by 227 parking spaces.
The facility’s design was drawn up by Rutherford-based DeBarbieri Architects, who previously worked on ShopRite stores in Newark and Stroudsburg, PA. The market’s entrance would be along Ohio Avenue, while the store’s loading docks would face Indiana Avenue.
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority owns the property and would lease the parcel to Village Supermarkets under the proposed deal. The parcel is located within the city’s Central Business District and ShopRite will be requesting minor variances related to maximum impervious lot coverage, signage requirements, landscaping, fencing, and permission to display outdoor merchandise.
A memorandum of understanding was signed for the proposed ShopRite back in May. The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is scheduled to hear the market’s application during their September 2 meeting.
Atlantic City is frequently described as a “food desert,” as the city of 37,000 lacks a true supermarket. The only large grocery option for locals without visiting a neighboring town is Save-A-Lot, a discount store along Atlantic Avenue.
Mayor Marty Small, Sr. previously told The Press of Atlantic City that he was hopeful the ShopRite project would break ground during the fall.
