ELLENVILLE- The ShopRite grocery store in Ellenville will be closing in October of 2024. While a year away, the closing of the 55,500-square-foot store has served the community for more than 30 years, since 1993. ShopRite is owned by Wakefern Food Corporation in New Jersey.
In a statement Karen Meleta, Chief Communications Officer at Wakefern, responded, “Unfortunately, we do not have sufficient sales to continue operating the store.”
After learning about the closing, Jenny Ramos, a shopper at the store said, “It’s sad because with the times that we’re living today, you know, we need the store here because this is the only place here where everybody can come and shop.”
Customer Andrea Yamson expressed her concern over the news that in one year, her community would no longer have a grocery story. “So now I have to drive Longer distance to Middletown, I’m five miles away and here’s my medical office. It was very convenient.”
There are several small businesses in the plaza with the ShopRite store that could be impacted by its closure. Allen Knee, owner of El Paradiso Restaurant believes even after the grocery store closes, his regular customers will continue to patronize his pizzeria.
“We stand strong with this community and most of the folks that come here. They’re not going to get a gallon of milk or some bread at ShopRite and getting a slice of pizza or a pizza, they’re coming here to get the pizza or whatever, you know. So I don’t really foresee a dramatic dip.”
Gina Towne, owner of Creative Cutters, a salon that has been located in the plaza for 14 years was not as positive about ShopRite’s closure. “I’m not happy that it’s going out. Not happy at all,” said Towne.
