Rides at the ShopRite of Sparta during Grand Opening week. (
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A giant U.S. Flag lines the wall as shoppers enter the supermarket. (
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The Sparta High School Marching Band at the ShopRite opening on Oct. 23, 2019. (
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Sparta High School Marching Band at the ShopRite opening on Oct. 23, 2019. (
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The line to get into the store on Oct. 23, as ShopRite of Sparta opens. (
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ShopRite's giant Grand Opening celebratory cake states, "I was here 10 -13-19." (
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An adorable Sparta 3rd-grander says the face painting of a spider and rose were just perfect for a grand opening so close to Halloween. (
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Mrs. Walton can hardly wait to show her granddaughter that she had a caricature drawing done in the middle of the produce aisle at ShopRite. (
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The ShopRite of Sparta Grand Opening on Oct. 23 included live music, samples, giveaways, and special offerings. (
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Specialty departments include the Seafood Market with fresh seafood delivered daily. (
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The new ShopRite at North Village celebrated its opening with a morning of music and festivities on Wednesday, Oct 23. The 95,000 sq. foot store features a large produce department, a deli and bakery, a wide variety of fresh seafood and dry grocery goods, a cafe, and state-of-the-art eco-friendly refrigeration and lighting.
The Romano family, owners and operators of seven other ShopRite supermarkets in northern New Jersey, welcomed local dignitaries and the public to a Grand Opening Celebration, which included a performance by the Sparta High School Marching Spartans and Color Guard, a benediction from Fr. Brian Sullivan, a flag-raising by members of Sparta VFW Post #7248, and a ribbon-cutting. The revelry continued inside the store with a DJ and photo booth, a giant celebratory cake, samples and giveaways.
Owner and operator David Romano greeted the first wave of shoppers and thanked them for coming.
“No shoving,” he teased. “We’ve got plenty of groceries for everyone.”
Assemblyman Hal Wirths (R-24) said the grand opening was the largest business event in recent memory.
“This is huge for the people of Sussex County,” he said, “We should all be excited about them bringing this many jobs to the area.”
Ray Stecky is a longtime ShopRite Wines and Spirits supervisor for RoNetco and said he was thrilled the new location.
“It’s been a long time since we opened a new store,” Stecky said, “We’re all excited and this facility is just amazing.”
State Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) took part in the ceremonies and then headed into the store to find lunch. He showed off containers of seafood salad as he used the self-checkout line.
“I was the first one in the Fish Market,” he said, playfully.
Sussex County Freeholder and former Sparta Mayor Joshua Hertzberg said he was happy for the Romano family and looking forward to shopping at the market for years to come.
“They (the Romanos) put such attention to detail into everything,” Hertzberg said, “And if they put that much attention to detail into the running of this supermarket, Sparta shoppers are going to be very happy for a long time.”
The Sparta ShopRite is located at 18 North Village Blvd, Sparta, directly off of Rt. 15. The supermarket will be open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. through 7 p.m. on Sunday. The new supermarket also has a pharmacy department, online ordering and delivery, and a ShopRite Wines and Liquors. The store can be reached at (973) 729-6900.