Village Super Market Inc. is preparing to unveil a brand-new ShopRite in Central Jersey.

Located at Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung, the state-of-the-art, 51,000-square-foot supermarket is set to begin welcoming customers April 9.

According to Village Super Market, the updated ShopRite will offer “an unmatched shopping experience” that includes global flavors, specialty items and premium goods. In addition to a larger bakery, seafood and meat departments, the store will feature areas for chef-prepared meals, gourmet sandwiches, artisanal cheeses, fresh sushi, and a coffee bar with tap-and-pay checkout.

Designed with the environment in mind, the store also incorporates energy-efficient refrigeration, LED lighting and eco-friendly initiatives, Village Super Market said.

The new supermarket at Blue Star Shopping Center replaces ShopRite’s existing, 43,000-square-foot location at the Levin Management Corp.-managed property along Route 22. According to Village Super Market, the old ShopRite will close April 8.

Village Super Market is a member of Keasbey-based co-op Wakefern Food Corp. It operates 30 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, as well as four specialty markets under the Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market brands in Manhattan. The Sumas family owns the company.

An ‘elevated’ experience

Village Super Market Director of Ecommerce and Business Development Perry Blatt said, “The new ShopRite of Watchung is designed to bring an elevated shopping experience to the community, with expanded offerings, fresh meal and to-go options, and specialty items that cater to all our customers’ needs.”

Blatt – a third-generation grocer and member of the Sumas family – added, “We are excited to open our doors to a beautiful, modern supermarket that delivers quality, convenience and premium groceries to Watchung shoppers.”

To mark the launch, Village Super Market has plans for an April 13 grand-opening celebration.

As part of the festivities, the first 250 customers in line at 6 a.m. will receive special swag bags and a free carton of eggs. Anyone who visits the store before 9 a.m. will receive fresh coffee and pastries, too.

The morning will include a 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Sumas family, Watchung Mayor Ronald Jubin, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, Scotch Plains Mayor Joshua Losardo, and the Watchung Hills Regional High School marching band and cheerleaders.

Village Super Market will also present $5,000 donations to Dudley House Veterans Transitional Housing Program in Plainfield and the Food Bank Network of Somerset County.

After that, ShopRite will keep the party going with food tastings, food trucks, giveaways, a DJ, a caricature artist, face painting and special surprises for shoppers.