Business Buzz
Have you ever wondered if Galloway Township’s population has grown in recent years? I can tell you with confidence — it absolutely has.
With a population now exceeding 37,000 residents, not including the thousands of students at Stockton University, Galloway is one of the fastest-growing communities in Atlantic County. This surge in growth has spurred a parallel boom in retail, commercial and professional development.
While we’ll explore the impressive expansion of AtlantiCare in a future article, today’s focus is on a major development that’s set to change the local landscape: the new Village ShopRite.
Set to rise at 501 Jimmie Leeds Road, the new Village ShopRite is a significant upgrade from its current 57,000-square-foot store located at the corner of Pitney and Jimmie Leeds roads.
The new facility will span an impressive 86,076 square feet and include two additional 6,000-square-foot retail pad sites, all situated on a 15-acre parcel. This expansion will bring modern amenities and improved services that today’s consumers expect — and that the current location simply can’t accommodate.
Village ShopRite, headquartered in Springfield Township, Union County, owns and operates 30 stores across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Locally, they have a strong presence with stores in Somers Point, Egg Harbor Township, Hammonton, Absecon, Marmora and Rio Grande.
It’s estimated that Village ShopRite commands up to 75% of the regional grocery market, despite increased competition from retailers like Walmart, Acme and Aldi. The new Galloway store is a direct response to evolving market pressures and growing customer demand for variety, quality and convenience.
What most people don’t realize is the immense time, effort and investment involved in bringing a project of this scale to life. The approval process began back in July 2020, and has included navigating a complex web of local, county and state regulations. Requirements included purchasing 20 acres of “mitigation land” to be preserved as open space — an NJDEP mandate — as well as road widening and infrastructure improvements.
Construction is expected to continue through 2026 or sooner. While residents will have to continue shopping at the current location during construction, the end result promises to be worth the wait.
A modernized, larger and more accessible Village ShopRite will not only serve the needs of today’s residents, it will also support the township’s continued growth well into the future. Stay tuned for more updates as this transformative project moves forward.
Remember to support local businesses, especially small businesses.
Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-226-6680 or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com
