I assume Lidl (no final ‘e’) will be very similar to Aldi, as they are in Europe. I believe both use basic interiors, quarter deposits on the carts returned when you bring them back to the corral, no free bags, you bag your own groceries, etc. In return, you get much lower prices. Aldi’s store brand gets a lot of positive reviews; I have not seen much on Lidl’s yet.
More choices are headed to the Hazlet/Middletown/Matawan area as well. The Saker Family- Shop Rites dominate this area and some of their prices can be ludicrous, especially when it comes to produce. They pretty much have a monopoly because the Foodtowns and Stop and Shops nearby are even more horrendous and no one wants to go there.
The Aldi in Hazlet is moving across Route 35 to where the old Pathmark used to be. It is about triple the size. And then Lidl is opening pretty much next door, where Red Oak used to be. I hope they really hit Shop Rite’s wallet.
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Heard acme in Tinton Falls is closing. No confirmation yet though
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confirmed for 22nd…Shoprite didn’t take long to kill them…although it’s their own fault- they never planned for any real competition and never once aimed to fix the store on service, appearance, price, selection, freshness, quality, etc…
I can’t tell you how many times I ran there at like 10pm at night looking to grab one thing we needed for the AM ,pre-Shoprite, thinking I’d be in and out in 3 min and it ended up taking 30 min b/c no self checkout and only one register open and the skells of the night all lined up to buy random crap in front of me…
wonder what will become of that spot? huge void now with that and the sonic empty…
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My wishlist:
1.) Wegmans (I don’t think the location / store is large enough)
2.) Whole Foods (but honestly my reason was because of their aged / prime meats, Shop Rite has a nice selection so I’m more neutral on this now)
3.) I would like to see Trader Joe’s move and expand to include a liquor store and knock out that liquor store which I can’t stand either.
4.) Bring back Burlington Coat Factory !!!
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To be honest I’d like a bowling alley…or a laser tag spot…it’s a weird spot too small for anything too grand but too big for anything “normal”…maybe a Joe canal’s liquor spot to put the ungodly number of terrible sprits unlimited sh&tholes out of business.
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Joe Canal’s would be pretty awesome. I don’t think demand for bowling can draw enough for a new location unless you do like Asbury Lanes, which has switched to a bit of an entertainment/bowling forum. Laser Tag has kind of died, there were a few for awhile but none of them seemed to ever make it.
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agree on laser tag- but I’m the last holdout who loved it I guess…they have it a iplay- but the prices that place charges are insane.
Agree- the Asbury lanes kind of place would prob be better choice and could be a nice fit, thinks its Neptune or hazlet for bowling around here.
Canals prob would be best- this area is crying out for a legit liquor store and wine spot…I’d settle for bottle king as well0- they are pretty good.
Bowling at Asbury lanes is VERY expensive… $40 per hour pp, iirc
Maybe a bowling alley AND Chinese restaurant!! We can have next years Greggy’s there!!! @gcaggiano
@Metsfan86 the liquor store across from Larosa Bakery in Red Bank (name escapes me but not Vingo) is my go-to in the area, if not Wegmans is great.
Iplay on 35 in Eatontown closed.
I used to be in the vending business and has machines at a Laser Tag place on 9 in Manalapan (where Costco is now). They did great business for 2-3 years with the movies next door but that was it, they closed shortly thereafter.
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yeah- I got that one too- but like you said it’s not great- bought way too many beers past freshness date, service is lousy, pricing meh, and some odd selections. same with the clown in Middletown and that’s kinda far- honestly-lately I’ve been saving up my purchases and going to Sam’s club in freehold- actually decent selection and great on price.
I didn’t even know there was an Iplay in Eatontown- I’ve only been to the one in Freehold on 9- it’s nice but $$$$. There’s where I get my laser tag fix- I suppose as a. part of a larger spot it works- looked to book it for group of kids and couldn’t believe the $$ they charge.
What is BOGO?
Buy one get one free
I’m not sure if anyone posted this yet but…
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Wish someone would close the Fair Haven Acme but it’s been here since the 50’s and doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere 
My primary doctor is across the street and my last check up I went into that Acme for the first time. It’s tight in there but it seems like they have everything in there… It also looked fairly recently renovated.
Dr Mulholland? Great guy. They just renovated the whole plaza but it’s really a glorified 7/11 with lousy produce. People only go there because it’s close…
