(Shopped 04/02/2025 WE @ 3:30pm, 04/08/25 TU @ 2:00pm, and several other times afterwards): Boy have I stopped and shopped!
In my quest to explore the various cuisine scenes and businesses throughout Jersey City and specifically the Heights, I finally made my way to Stop & Shop's Central Ave. location. I was working in the area on a project (and remote working, too) for an extended stay and needed some groceries and household goods to save a bit of money while I stayed at a dear friend's place. I've really only tried one other local grocery store (Supremo Food Market), so I was kind of excited to see how they compared. A regional northeastern grocery chain who got its start in 1914, it had slowly expanded through acquisitions and being acquired, and finally broke into the New Jersey market in 2011. For those familiar with the former 99 Cent Only brand, I found the two very comparable with a little mix of Smart & Final. Would I continue to stop and shop with this brand and particular at this convenient location whenever I was in town!?
PURCHASE
1st Purchase ($17.74): As a trial run of sorts, I came in on a recognizance mission to get the lay of the land and found some snacking food that held me over during the day. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=SmVh2-X2wbgFodYgDM79qw
2nd Purchase ($10.07): I found more snack foods (Harry Potter Goldfish!) and hot cocoa mix because the weather was cold and wet! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=6V6QwU3zFiT1z1ysRjFjeg
3rd Purchase ($35.75): This time, I actually bought stuff to make meals with, such as my ghetto vegetable tacos and mac and cheese, and flavored sparkling water since I was still in throes of Lent. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=Uy29cR2GvyIekw5fyqeCMw
4th Purchase ($131.42): This was the largest bill because I bought groceries for my friend and a "thank you" housing me while I stayed at her place.
5th Purchase ($27.90): More snacking and stuff! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=N6kkBcPU9IPc2b9NfcM4UQ
6th Purchase ($4.95): I needed to wash dishes. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=4e0S9I3SbP7ONwA9FRRaeA
SERVICE
Each time I shopped, I simply went about my normal routine and went up and down each aisle just to see what they had without needing any assistance until it was time to pay. On my first visit, I learned they had a rewards program from a kind older female checker, so I signed up once I got home so I could earn some goodies! After a user error mishap with the rewards program, I finally got the hang of it. Each cashier I dealt with was fine and got the job done, but little to no chit-chat, and the lines where you bagged your own groceries were best if you only had ten items or less. All was good!
PARKING (FREE; N/A this instance)
This was an easy flat 10-minute walk from my friend's place. Otherwise, they had a medium-sized private lot, and there appeared to be plenty of spots along the main drag of Central Ave. and all surrounding roads - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A decent-sized store that had a general sense of snugness as I walked down each multiple long aisle filled with products, you had the produce section once you entered, then the meat/seafood section along the back wall, the dairy section along the far wall, the bread section in a small corner at the front, and the frozen section took up two aisles. Sadly, there wasn't a fresh deli section, but I always managed to find the reduced price section in the far back. Decent natural lighting came through the front windows and doors while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There weren't any TVs nor background music.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Central Ave.'s Stop & Shop location had become my go-to local grocer in the area and would continue to use them. I found everything I needed, they carried both national and private label (even their own!) brands, the prices were very comparable, I had no issues with the quality, the rewards program was helpful, and the service was straightforward. Sure, there wasn't a prepared section, the brand/product selection wasn't as extensive as a major grocer, and the aesthetics wasn't the best, but it served my basic needs. And, I always loved supporting small businesses whenever possible (regional in this case). I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experiences was around $228.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS read more