STAFFORD – Sources have revealed that preliminary plans to relocate the Manahawkin ShopRite from its current address at 295 Route 72 to 733 Route 72 do not include demolishing the entire structure vacated by Kmart in 2017. Saker Properties of Manahawkin, LLC is planning to renovate the existing Kmart building to create space for a new ShopRite supermarket and additional retail stores.
The proposal includes an approximately 120,000-square-foot supermarket and around 18,000 square feet of retail space for other tenants. While some parts of the Kmart will be torn down, much of the structure will remain intact.
“Right now, we’re still going through the process and things are in a little bit of flux,” said Ed Turkot, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development for Saker, “A good part of the structure is planned to remain up.”
The project is still in the early stages, and no specific timeline has been established for the relocation. A meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 13 before the Stafford Planning Board, where the plans will be discussed.
According to the application submitted to the planning board, Saker plans to renovate the former Kmart space and portions of the adjacent retail space to accommodate supermarket and retail tenants including removal of three existing building annexes and the addition of five new building areas.
Saker is also seeking to enhance access to the site by reopening an ingress-only driveway from Route 72, pending approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).
In addition to the renovations, Saker aims to decrease the site’s impervious coverage, which would help reduce stormwater runoff in the area. To improve visibility for the new supermarket, the company has proposed a comprehensive sign program that includes wayfinding signs throughout the shopping center and the surrounding road network. These signs will require approval from the NJDOT and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
Saker is requesting ten bulk variances and seven design waivers to meet local zoning regulations. These requests include exceeding the maximum allowable sign area and adjustments to the number of off-street parking spaces.
As Saker Properties moves forward with the approval process, they are actively looking to lease additional retail spaces within the shopping center. The relocation of the ShopRite has the potential to bring new businesses and increased activity to the Manahawkin Commons. However, it is unknown what will happen with the current Shop Rite building and its impact on other businesses once it vacates Stafford Square Mall.
Saker operates 39 ShopRite stores, along with another grocery store called the Dearborn Store in Holmdel. In Ocean County, they own and manage seven of these ShopRite locations.
