Asian Food Market Proposes To Open At Former Sam Ash Location In Edison

EDISON, NJ — An Asian food market has proposed to open a retail store at the site of the former Sam Ash Music store.

Asian Fresh of Edison, Inc., which purchased the 1837 Route 27 property last year, seeks preliminary and final site plan approval for the venture.

The retailers own a similar grocery store in Philadelphia, selling fresh fruit, produce, and Asian food items.

Yan Lin, a shareholder of the company and the property, said that Edison’s diverse population is ideal for their business.

“This location, around 50 years ago, was a food market, then turned into a furniture store, and then turned into Sam Ash. Right now we are just trying to bring it back to the original purpose,” Lin told Zoning Board members during the July 29 meeting.

Although there won’t be many changes, Lin said they would renovate the building as it is currently “outdated.”

Operational plans call for 10 employees per shift, with daily hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Located on approximately 1.29 acres in the township's general business district, the property offers more than 100 existing parking spaces, which the applicant's engineer deemed adequate for the proposed use. Traffic impact studies suggest minimal effects on current roadway conditions.

According to comments from Municipality staff, the standards of the application have not been met in accordance with the master plan, as the existing minimum front yard required is 30 feet, the proposed is 5 feet, the maximum lot coverage required is 25 percent proposed is 39.5 percent.

The Zoning Board did not make a decision on the application during the meeting, scheduling it for reconsideration on Sept. 30.

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