Business Buzz
One of Galloway Township’s most anticipated commercial projects is taking shape along Jimmie Leeds Road.
A new, significantly larger ShopRite is under construction at 501 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, about a quarter-mile east of the existing supermarket at the intersection of Jimmie Leeds and Pitney roads. The project represents a major investment in one of Atlantic County’s largest communities.
The Galloway Township Planning Board approved the new supermarket in July 2020. Site preparation began in 2025, followed by foundation work and construction of the main structure.
The new ShopRite will encompass approximately 86,000 square feet, making it more than 50% larger than the current 57,000-square-foot store.
The additional space is expected to provide wider aisles, a larger product selection and expanded departments. Although the company has not released a complete list of features, newer Village ShopRite stores typically include larger produce, meat and seafood departments; full-service bakery and deli counters; prepared meals; grab-and-go selections; hand-rolled sushi; soup, sandwich and hot food stations; organic products; international foods; and online ordering, pickup and delivery services.
The expansion will also provide additional selling space, parking and storage capacity to serve the growing community and meet changing consumer needs.
The Galloway ShopRite is owned and operated by Village Super Market Inc., a publicly traded, family-led company founded by brothers Nick and Perry Sumas. The Greek immigrants opened their first produce market in South Orange in 1937. They later became early members of Wakefern Food Corp., the cooperative that owns the ShopRite name.
Village Super Market operates approximately 30 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, as well as Fairway Market and Gourmet Garage locations. The company remains associated with the Sumas family after three generations.
Village Super Market’s history in Galloway dates to 2007, when it acquired and renovated the former Stop & Shop building at 401 Pitney Road. The ShopRite of Galloway opened there in October of that year and has served area residents for nearly two decades.
The new development encompasses approximately 15 acres and includes more than 500 parking spaces. Plans also call for a traffic signal at the main entrance on Jimmie Leeds Road, along with road widening, turning improvements, stormwater management facilities, landscaping and buffers for neighboring residential properties.
Two separate 6,000-square-foot retail buildings are approved along the Jimmie Leeds Road frontage. One is being developed with the supermarket, while the second is expected to move forward after a tenant is secured.
No occupants have been announced for the buildings, which are designed to accommodate restaurants, service businesses or other neighborhood retailers.
The developer continues to advertise an anticipated 2026 opening for the shopping center. However, Village Super Market has not announced a specific grand opening date. With construction still underway, the supermarket could open in late 2026 or early 2027, depending on interior work, site improvements and final inspections.
The project comes as Galloway continues to grow as a residential and commercial community. The township’s health care sector has expanded significantly, led by AtlantiCare and its continued investment in the greater Mainland region. Stockton University is another major economic and employment anchor, attracting students, faculty members, visitors and supporting businesses.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Galloway had 37,813 residents in 2020, its highest official decennial census count. That marked an increase from 37,349 residents in 2010 and 31,209 in 2000. New Jersey’s latest municipal estimates place the population at approximately 38,347, an increase of more than 500 residents since 2020 and more than 7,100 since 2000.
Galloway also has approximately 14,300 households, a median age of about 42 and a diverse population that includes families, retirees, professionals and college students. Its health care and social assistance businesses generated nearly $630 million in revenue in 2022, demonstrating the sector’s importance to the local economy.
The new ShopRite and accompanying retail space reflect Village Super Market’s continued investment in Galloway. The project is expected to expand shopping options, create employment opportunities and support the township’s residential and commercial growth.
As always, remember to support local businesses, especially small businesses.
Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach, can be reached at 609-226-6680 or 609-641-0011, or by email at richardbaehrle@gmail.com.
