Farm-fresh, family-run grocery chain Stew Leonard’s is preparing to unveil its second New Jersey supermarket. Scheduled to open May 17 at Styertowne Shopping Center in Clifton, the 56,000-square-foot store will offer produce, dairy and meats from local vendors and New Jersey farms. In addition to several new animatronic shows, Stew Leonard’s in Clifton will feature the same signature elements found in its other locations, such as a one-way aisle and free ice cream or coffee with every $100 spent using the store’s downloadable loyalty app. Since more than 80% of products sold by Stew Leonard’s ..read more

Hobby Lobby plans to open its first store in Morris County. According to commercial real estate information platform CoStar, the arts & crafts retailer signed on to lease a standalone site at 180 Route 10 in East Hanover. An official opening date has not been announced, but hiring efforts are underway for the future location.  Headquartered in Oklahoma, Hobby Lobby sells home décor, arts & crafts supplies, party goods and jewelry. Its more than 990-store footprint includes about 15 locations in New Jersey. In East Hanover, Hobby Lobby is filling a 50,200-square-foot space left va ..read more

Wholesome snack maker Our Home plans to acquire two production plants from Utz Brands Inc. for $18.5 million. In an April 18 press release, the Boonton-based company said it will increase its manufacturing footprint from five to seven locations by purchasing Utz-owned sites in Berlin, Pa., and Fitchburg, Mass. After the sale is complete later this month, Our Home will co-manufacture certain Utz products for up to a year as part of a transition services agreement. The 168 workers at the two plants will also reportedly become employees of Our Home. Our Home founder and CEO Aaron Greenwald said ..read more

Fairleigh Dickinson University is out with a new poll showing that a majority of New Jerseyans back the recent Transportation Trust Fund legislation signed into law. The move, which calls for an annual electric vehicle fee for drivers, drew support by a more than a 2-to-1 margin. The Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey sponsored the poll. Conducted between April 1-8, 2024, it contacted 809 registered voters in New Jersey about issues pertaining to transportation funding. The legislation signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy in March extended the TTF for five years while raising the gas tax ..read more

Foot Locker is testing out a new store concept in New Jersey as part of a larger effort to reinvent the brand’s retail footprint. The “store of the future” made its debut April 24 at Willowbrook Mall in Wayne. It features a streamlined, easier-to-shop layout, dynamic digital fixtures and a bolder look. Along with expanded footwear and accessory selections, store highlights include a communal try-on area as well as “sneaker hub” offering specialized lacing and customization options. It also has an upfront “drop zone” area showcasing Foot Locker’s latest sneaker releases and trending products ..read more

Very sad news to report, as U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., D-10th District, died April 24 at the age of 65. Payne had been hospitalized since a cardiac episode earlier this month, based on complications from his diabetes, according to his office. A former union worker and toll collector, the six-term congressman began in local politics in Newark before winning the seat held by his father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne Sr., who passed away in 2012. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice, and three children – Donald III, Jack and Yvonne. Remembrances and tributes are pouring in from around the Gar ..read more

RoboBurger, a Newark-based company touting the world’s first fully autonomous burger vending robot, struck a deal on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” During the April 19 episode of the reality competition series, co-founders Dan Braido, Audley Wilson and Andy Siegel agreed to give celebrity investor Kevin O’ Leary and guest “shark” Michael Rubin a 9% stake in exchange for $1.5 million backing. Launched in 2019, RoboBurger’s innovative machine uses a five-step process to cook and assemble restaurant-quality burgers made from 100% grass and vegetarian-fed Angus beef with artisanal buns sourced from local ba ..read more

Forbes named Tahir Johnson, the founder and chief executive officer of Simply Pure Trenton, as one of 42 cannabis industry leaders nationwide. In its 3rd annual Cannabis 42.0 ranking, the publication spotlighted “pot pioneers” in the $28 billion legal industry who are blazing a path forward “in what is becoming one of the country’s most important economic and social revolutions.” Johnson, the only honoree from New Jersey, made his first appearance on the list this year. His adult-use dispensary is coming soon to Ewing. “Opening this summer, Tahir Johnson’s dispensary, Simply Pure Trenton ..read more

As Saker ShopRites gets ready to open a brand-new store in South Plainfield next month, the supermarket operator is looking to fill 200 full- and part-time jobs. Available positions include department managers, clerks, cashiers, cake decorators, bookkeepers and other team members for departments across the soon-to-be-opened store in Hadley Commons. Jobseekers can submit applications online or visit a hiring center set up next door to the supermarket. Located at 6303 Hadley Road, the office is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A member of Keasbey-based co-op Wakefern Food Corp ..read more

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will soon sport some new décor, thanks to a multiyear partnership with Moody’s Corp.  The New York-based research and data firm announced April 23 it is now the Official Cornerstone Partner of the venue, which is home to the New York Jets and New York Giants.  Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.  As part of the new deal, stadium events will feature Moody’s branding, including in-bowl signage and digital displays. The Moody’s Gate will greet fans outside the venue. And, the company is also the naming rights partner of the Moo ..read more