Maplewood Mayor Gives Update On Kings Supermarket Closing

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — On Tuesday morning, Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee gave an update on the closing of the Kings supermarket in town (READ MORE: Spokeswoman Confirms Maplewood Kings Store Will Shut). Saturday was the last day, said an employee reached by phone.

Stores in southern Hoboken and Gilette are also closing this month. Many other stores will remain open, like their store in northern Hoboken.

McGehee wrote Tuesday, "As many of you know by now Kings Food Markets, which first opened a branch in Maplewood Village in 1942, has ceased operations as a result of parent company KB Holdings going into voluntary chapter 11 bankruptcy in August of this year."

McGehee noted:

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The township was saddened to have been informed of the closure. As a longtime patron who has been in the store countless times for a multitude of reasons from being in a pinch for lunch snacks in the morning to treating myself and family with cookies and a pint of ice cream after getting off the New Jersey Transit on a Friday evening — it is truly sad.

We have been collaborating and that effort will continue with the Kings corporate team, the asset management firm which is managing the property in addition with brokers, real estate professionals as well as industry specialists to entice the interest, convene meetings, and facilitate conversations with grocery store companies and businesses based in the region and across the country.

Although we are striving to find a neighborhood grocery business that would become part of the new chapter of our historic village, the location is a private property and we do not have complete control over the future tenant and therefore cannot make any promises that a grocery store will be the next occupant. In addition, the next phase for the space will not occur overnight, it will take time.

We also recognize that several businesses throughout our Township have been impacted by covid.

But we can do our part by supporting and continuing to support our businesses that make Maplewood such a vibrant place to live.

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McGehee said, "Make the difference for your community and shop local this holiday season."

He suggested that people shop at:

• Springfield Ave. https://www.springfieldavenue.com/
• Maplewood Village http://maplewoodvillagenj.com/ Including on Dunnell, Irvington Ave., and:
• Ridgewood row https://www.facebook.com/ridgewood.row/

He said it helps local businesses to buy their gift cards, shop there online and promote your favorite businesses to friends and family.

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