Amazon Fresh resumes work at Woodland Park site
WOODLAND PARK — After taking a “pause” to rethink its strategy on brickand-mortar stores, Amazon Fresh has resumed work at Plaza 46, borough officials said.
“We are excited and hopeful that the store may open in 2024,” acting Mayor Tracy Kallert said, adding that in trying to pry details from Amazon’s officials, it became apparent the company wants to keep some of the plans a secret.
Amazon told Kallert she is free to discuss that work at the site has resumed. Permits for the work, Kallert said, were taken out in late August and September.
Borough building department officials said the new permits show that some modifications have been made to the checkout areas, specifically with more traditional checkout options added, along with the previously only-electronic ones. There also are some modifications to the deli counter, Kallert said.
In August, Amazon posted on its website that it had completed plans for a varied approach to its brick-and-mortar stores.
“We are excited to introduce hundreds of new national and private-label products across the aisles in these refreshed stores to customers, with the biggest increases in dairy, snacks, home care, health and baking products,” Amazon announced in August.
Stopped, then restarted
More than two years ago, Amazon announced that it would open a Route 46 location, once the home to Fairway Market and before that Pathmark.
Amazon said at the time that it would be among the first of its new line of supermarkets featuring 21st-century innovations including Dash Carts, which do not require a visit to a cashier.
Amazon then put a temporary hold on opening new stores so it could recalibrate its business model.
With the exception of Amazon Fresh in Paramus, Amazon decided to freeze all future stores under development across New Jersey.
Besides Woodland Park, stores are in various stages of completion in Lodi, Eatontown, Old Bridge and Holmdel.
It is not certain if similar measures are being taken at other locations in the state.