The Independent Edition

Newark It's time for another look at the Universal Food Markets stores! The chain of stores has 10 locations under various names (Elizabeth x 2, Rahway, Newark, Orange, Hackensack x 2, Paterson x 2, Camden) of which 7 are Key Food-affiliated (the Hackensack Market in Hackensack and Super El Rey and Eagle Supermarket in Elizabeth are still not Key Food-affiliated). Newark, Orange, and Hackensack were previously Krasdale-affiliated. Newark was a Bravo, and Hackensack and Orange were CTowns. These days, those three are Key Food-affiliated Universal Food Markets joining older locations in Rahway, Paterson, and Camden. While there hasn't been a lot changed in this store, we see new banners temporarily affixed on top of the Bravo logos outside. Inside, there hasn't been much of a change other than replacing the lighting -- a much-needed improvement. This store is clean and well-stocked and seems to be a bit better-run than Orange, although it's quite small. The fixtures we...

Universal Food Markets Owner: Vishnu Patel Opened:  2023 Cooperative:  Key Food Stores Location:  16-26 N Day St, City of Orange, NJ Photographed:  May 22, 2023 I reported on the removal of the CTown signage from the CTown-turned-Universal in Orange, NJ, and I have returned a few weeks later to see what, if anything, else has changed. The store appears to be getting some remodel, with flooring in the first two aisles torn up. A temporary Universal banner has been added near the street side of the store. While I'm glad to see some work going on here, this store needs a LOT of work. I'm not sure whether it'll get the full renovation it really needs or if it'll just be a quick refresh. The difference between this store and a similar one, for example the SuperFresh in Newark (also a Key Food affiliate that was previously a CTown) is shocking. This store is dirty, dingy, messy, expensive, and poorly stocked compared to that one which is very similar otherwise. It's ce...

Universal Food Markets Owner: Vishnu Patel Opened:  2023 Cooperative:  Key Food Stores Location:  16-26 N Day St, City of Orange, NJ Photographed:  March 3, 2023 Brief Lehigh Valley interruptions. I've been documenting a lot of the expansion of Key Food, the Matawan, NJ-based cooperative started in Brooklyn in 1937. Today the cooperative is almost 400 stores, mostly in and around New York City. And here in New Jersey, we've seen the Universal group of stores, which is made up of Universal Food Markets in Rahway , Paterson , and Camden; CTown locations in Orange and Hackensack; Bravo in Newark ; Super El Rey and Eagle in Elizabeth; the Hackensack Market in Hackensack; and Golden Mango in Paterson. Rahway, both stores in Paterson, Camden, and most recently, this store in Orange have joined Key Food, meaning that I can only assume the other stores aren't far behind. The stores were all previously affiliated with either Krasdale or Retail Grocers Group. Because CTown ...

Benny's Market Owner:  Dwayne Williams Opened:  1992 Cooperative:  none Location:  60 Park St, City of Orange, NJ Photographed:  July 2020 Directly across the street from yesterday's Frednes International Market , is this independent grocery store. A small corner store with a lot of selection (produce, grocery, dairy, frozen, deli, meat, hot food), this place packs a lot into 3,000 square feet. Handwritten aisle markers! Gives the store a bit of personality. Up next we're heading to the south of Route 280 to see a few stores along Central Avenue in Orange and East Orange, beginning with one over on The Market Report tomorrow!

Frednes International Market Owner:  unknown Opened:  2011 Cooperative:  none Location:  53 Park St, City of Orange, NJ Photographed:  July 2020 Today's snapshot is this African market just to the north of Main Street. It's in the second block to the north of the main business district, but it's a little more of a destination so people will come specifically to this store for specialty items you can't get elsewhere. Tomorrow we'll take a look at the grocery store across the street!