ShopRite Plans Move To Former Kmart In Manahawkin

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — In the new year, the Stafford Township Planning Board will hear a proposal from Saker Properties to renovate the former Kmart store and move ShopRite there.

Hearings for the proposal have been ongoing, with the next set for the Jan. 8, 2025 meeting.

Saker's plan, according to public notice, is to renovate the Kmart and part of the adjacent building to accommodate an about 116,000 square foot ShopRite store and about 20,000 square feet of retail space.

The proposal includes some minor changes to the parking, loading and utilities around the building to accommodate the operations of ShopRite and the retail tenant.

Saker also plans to reopen an ingress-only driveway on the former West Road to allow direct access from Route 72. That will require approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

There's no clear timeline for anything as the decision is still pending planning board approval.

Planning board documents show that construction is planned in three phases. The first phase includes the renovation of Kmart and parking lot improvements. The second phase will be constructing additions to the buildings. And the third phase is constructing a Route 72 access road.

The current Manahawkin ShopRite is located in Stafford Square Mall.