Listen to this articleUpscale grocery chain The Fresh Market plans to shutter one of its two stores in New Jersey.
In a statement to NJBIZ, a spokesperson for the North Carolina-based banner said, “As a growing company, we regularly evaluate our store portfolio to ensure alignment with our strategic goals. After careful consideration, we have made the decision not to renew our lease in Montvale.”
As a result, The Fresh Market expects to lay off 55 workers in Montvale by April 12, according to a filing with the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
The tenant mix at Chestnut Ridge Shopping Center also includes:
- Jersey Mike’s Subs
- Drop Fitness
- Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar
- Perspire Sauna Studio
- Chase Bank
- Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
The upcoming closure comes as Montvale officials mull a proposal to revamp the the shopping center that houses The Fresh Market. The Regency Centers Corp.-owned property is located on Chestnut Ridge Road.
With the exception of one 1,980-square-foot space, the property is at full occupancy.
In August 2025, Regency acquired its partners’ remaining stake of Chestnut Ridge Shopping Center for $9.2 million. It now owns 100% of the asset.
Plans submitted to the Montvale Planning Board propose renovating the existing The Fresh Market store for a Trader Joe’s to take over. Additionally, three new fast-casual eateries are proposed for a new pad site, Mayor Mike Ghassali shared. Shake Shack, Cava and honeygrow would rise in the parking lot near Drop Fitness.
Trading spaces
A spokesperson for Trader Joe’s told NJBIZ, “We have plans for a Trader Joe’s store in Montvale, but we do not yet have a location or timeline to share. Once a location and timeline are confirmed, the store will be added to our website.”
According to Ghassali, the planning board began its review of the application last month. It will continue hearing testimony at its Jan. 20 meeting.
Ray Berry and his wife, Beverly, founded The Fresh Market in 1982. The banner offers fresh produce, meats, seafood, bakery items, prepared foods and gourmet specialty products. The European-style food market-inspired chain has roughly 170 stores across 22 states.
The Montvale outpost opened in 2011 as the chain’s first location in New Jersey.
Over the past 15 years, several competitors have entered the local grocery landscape, including Wegmans Food Markets in Montvale, Whole Foods Market in Woodcliff Lake and Lidl in Park Ridge.
After The Fresh Market’s Montvale site goes dark, the grocer will maintain its presence in Bedminster. About nine years ago, a store in Livingston opened at a former Pathmark in 2014 closed as part of company-wide effort to address underperforming locations.
