Though I do enjoy hunting for deals and finding delicious new products, grocery shopping isn’t typically my idea of a good time. In general, I don’t go to the grocery store for fun – I go out of necessity. While New Jersey does have some great farmers markets, most chain grocery stores just aren’t that exciting. However, there are two food shops that stand out to me…Packard Bamberger in Hackensack (a.k.a. Packard’s, which closed years ago) and Stew Leonard’s, which I visited as a child while on vacation in Connecticut. That magical shop, sometimes referred to as the Disneyland of Supermarkets, is now opening in the Garden State.

Stew Leonard’s got its start in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1969. The chain has since expanded to six stores in Connecticut and New York.

Stew Leonard’s/Facebook

This month, the store is expanding into New Jersey! Paramus, to be exact. It will replace the Sears store in the Paramus Park Mall.

Stew Leonard’s/Facebook

Stew Leonard’s isn’t your average grocery store. It’s been awarded the title of World’s Largest Dairy by the Guinness Book of World Records. Additionally, the shops are open concept, with one-way aisles that guide you around the facility.

Stew Leonard’s/Facebook

The Paramus Store will have wine, beer, spirits, sushi, freshly made donuts, coffee, flowers, ice cream, barbecue, burgers, pizza, Asian wok, a deli counter, a hot & cold buffet, seafood, fresh mozzarella and other cheeses, a butcher shop, produce, popcorn, dairy, and desserts, including a fresh bakery. It’s pretty much everything you could ever want in a grocery store…

Stew Leonard’s/Facebook

But there’s more! The family-friendly market offers all sorts of animatronic entertainment. The push button shows include The Farm Fresh Five and The Guacamole Girls. Kids and adults alike will delight in the singing and dancing.

Stew Leonard’s/Facebook

Stew Leonard’s has also been selected as a top company to work for. How sweet is that? The Paramus location is still hiring and is set to open later this month. No official date has been announced (as of press time) but 400 full and part time employees have been hired so far.

Stew Leonard’s/Facebook

To top it all off, many of the fruits and veggies will be sourced straight from the Garden State. That’s something to be happy about.

Stew Leonard’s/Facebook

For a peek into the store’s atmosphere, check out the short video below.

Stew Leonard’s/Facebook



Address: 700 Paramus Park, Paramus, NJ, 07652. Are you excited about the opening of Stew Leonard’s? I sure am! But I’ll still visit those fantastic New Jersey farmers markets I mentioned earlier. You can learn more about those by clicking here.

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