New Supermarket Opens In The Caldwells (Take A Peek Inside)

CALDWELLS, NJ — A new supermarket has officially opened its doors in the Caldwells.

Earlier this week, Sunrise ShopRite held a grand opening event for ShopRite of West Caldwell, a “state-of-the-art” supermarket at 900 Bloomfield Avenue. Spanning nearly 90,000-square-feet, the new grocery store replaces the store’s former, long-time home at 540 Passaic Avenue.

>> Read More: New ShopRite In The Caldwells Will Replace Old Grocery Store

A parade and ribbon cutting ceremony took place for the new store on Tuesday, with attendees marching from the old store to Bloomfield Avenue. Watch video footage from the grand opening below, and view photos in the gallery above.

Sunrise ShopRite’s local roots date back to 1940, when Nathan Gladstein opened his first small food store – Sunrise Market – in Caldwell.

Nathan's son, Irving, took over the business after his father’s passing in 1948. He joined the supermarket cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. in 1951 and transitioned his Sunrise Market to ShopRite.

The West Caldwell ShopRite store on Passaic Avenue opened in 1967, and in 1980, Irving's son, Ned, expanded the business with the first Parsippany ShopRite location.

Today, Dara Sblendorio – Ned’s daughter – serves as president of Sunrise ShopRite, representing the fourth generation of the grocery family.

When the new store opens, it will be a bittersweet move, spokespeople said – but the past won’t be forgotten. Here’s why:

“The ShopRite of West Caldwell has been a beloved family-centered store for generations of shoppers and employees. The former store was also known for its distinctive red pagoda roofline, which was inspired by founder Irving Gladstein’s interest in Japanese architecture and culture. He was a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific theater and made several trips to Japan during his lifetime. Archival photos showcasing the family history in West Caldwell will be on display in the new location to honor the dedication of multiple generations of family members who built and continue to nurture the business. The new store will also include favorite elements and items like the phone booths that are posted outside the current location on Passaic Avenue.”

Spokespeople said the new store is twice the size of the previous location. Other features include:

• Enhanced Sunrise Kitchens – “Freshly prepared meals and favorite recipes, a made-from-scratch Pizza Shop, sushi, Asian cuisine and a hot buffet”
• Sunrise Cellars Wine, Beer & Spirits – “Three aisles of curated selections with expert staff to help find the perfect pairing”
• Community Room – “A dedicated space for cooking classes, wellness programs and private events”
• Wider aisles and an expanded parking lot for “easier, more convenient shopping”
• ShopRite’s Online Shopping Service: Order.Pickup.Deliver.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.