Visiting JR’s Fresh Market

When you live in South Jersey the opening of a new supermarket is an exciting thing. Especially when it is opening in the space where Genardi’s closed nearly 2 years ago. The much talked about vacant space that shares a parking lot with Bone Fish Grill, is now home to JR’s Fresh Market. I know many people in the area, myself included, had been hoping for a Trader Joe’s or a Whole Foods, JR’s Fresh Market is an attempt to give locals the best of both worlds at the Jersey Shore.

I visited JR’s Fresh Market yesterday with the plan to do my weekly food shopping there, rather than traveling to Somers Point to Shop Rite. I wanted to do this for a few reasons, one the store is closer to my house and less likely to be mobbed with tourists, two I believe in supporting local businesses and three, like I said this is South Jersey and a new grocery store is reason for excitement.

Here are a few of the highlights from my trip to JR’s Fresh Market.

At JR’s Fresh Market it is obvious that the focus is on healthier food options and organics. When I walked into the store I was saw a display of natural soda’s ( made with sugar) that I know my husband loves and that we can’t find in most other stores. There was also lots of Organic fruits, vegetables and dairy.

Gluten Free is a huge market but many stores don’t carry a wide variety. I have a family member who is Gluten Free and when she finds items that she likes she tends to stock up on them. I may have noticed at her house an entire cabinet full of Gluten Free crackers, and it’s not that she’s a hoarder it’s that Gluten Free is very hard to find in our area. At JR’s Fresh Market I noticed Gluten Free products in almost every aisle. From pasta’s to snacks to mixes they had a wide variety.

When my husband opened the fridge last night and saw the eatible cookie dough that I brought, he looked and me and said, “seriously”. To which I replied, “you know I’m a sucker for new grocery store items”. I loved the variety of products that were new to me at JR’s Fresh Market, which includes this cookie dough from The Cookie Dough Cafe that is made to be eaten instead of baked. There were also a variety of cheeses and other snack items that our local super markets don’t carry.

While the pre-made meals section wasn’t fully open when I was there, it definitely looked like there were going to be lots of options and very reminiscent of the selection that Genardi’s had when they were open. I used to work down the street from Genardi’s and I loved their options for lunch, so I’m looking forwad to seeing what JR’s Fresh Market offers.

To me JR’s had the feel of a hometown store. The staff was very friendly, the store was clean and there was a suggestion box on the way out which gave met the feeling that JR’s Fresh wants to be the type of place that serves the local community. I love that we have a locally owned super market so close to my house. Yesterday from the time I left my house to the time I got back with a weeks worth of groceries was 40 minutes. I was also able to find everything that was on my list which was really my true test if this store was going to become my new grocery store.

Is it Trader Joe’s ? No. Is it Whole Foods? No. Is it Shop Rite? No. But what it is, is a locally owned store that is filling a need in the community by providing healthier options along with carrying the brands you can find at Shop Rite.

Will I be going back? Definitely.

JR’s Fresh Market is located on Fire Road in Egg Harbor Township. The grand opening is Friday August 28th.