Renovated Brookdale ShopRite boasts electrifying new feature

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The newly renovated Brookdale ShopRite in Bloomfield debuted an EVgo Inc. electric vehicle fast-charging station during a Nov. 14 ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

The new site, located at the grocery chain’s 1409 Broad St. location, was made possible with funding through the PSE&G Electric Vehicle Charging Program.  

The station features charging from 100kW up to 350kW and can serve four vehicles simultaneously. It’s compatible with all fast-charge-capable EV models on the market, such as Chevrolet Bolt EV, GMC Hummer EV, Kia EV6 and the Nissan LEAF. 

“We recently completed an extensive renovation of the Brookdale store, and the next step was providing a fast electric vehicle charging station in our parking lot,” Neil Greenstein, a third-generation grocer and owner and operator of Brookdale ShopRite, said in a statement. “At ShopRite, we are always looking for ways to provide the best possible shopping experience for our customers, and making it easier for people to charge their electric vehicles is part of that commitment.” 

The renovations at the 50-year-old store include storewide upgrades, new departments and fresh food offerings as well as energy-efficient LED lighting and updated refrigerated cases. 

The charging station by Los Angeles-based EVgo – one of the nation’s largest public EV fast-charging networks powered by 100% renewable energy – is available for ShopRite customers as well as the community. 

Guests at the ribbon-cutting included U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11th District, Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia, Essex County Commissioner Vice President Carlos Pomares and Councilman Nicholas Joanow. 

Stacy Huston, director of portfolio accounts at EVgo, said the company was excited to expand partnerships with companies such as Brookdale ShopRite “to increase access to EV charging and build more infrastructure in communities in New Jersey and beyond.” 

Moving toward more electric vehicles and charging stations aligns with Gov. Phil Murphy’s Energy Master Plan, which set a goal for the state to reach 100% clean energy by 2050. 

As part of its sustainability efforts, ShopRite says it plans to add more EV charging stations at its stores. Wakefern Food Corp., the logistics, distribution and merchandising arm of the brand, is working with its locations to identify placement for the stations. 

“Wakefern’s electric vehicle charging initiative is important to the cooperative and our supermarket banners. This is an ambitious effort to work with providers to bring this critical infrastructure to many of our stores and communities,” said Andrew Pittel, manager of real estate at Wakefern.