The Independent Edition

Universal Food Markets Owner: Vishu Patel Opened:  between 1997 and 2000 Cooperative:  Key Food Stores Location:  2325 Elizabeth Ave, Rahway, NJ Photographed:  November 26, 2022 Today we wrapped up the remodel at the Kings in Livingston , and we're going to do the same here at the Universal in Rahway! I've documented this amazing transformation over the course of about a year and a half with the most recent post over the summer . The renovation is completely finished, and the store looks amazing. It's so much brighter and more open-feeling, and feels completely modern. You wouldn't know this building is 50 years old with the newest updates. The front entrance is fully functional... ...and the deli/prepared foods area in the back, the last thing that had yet to be finished inside the store, is all done. Worth noting that, during the process of this renovation, this store switched from Retail Grocers Group (Fine Fare) to Key Food. Most recently, I'd say about a month...

Universal Food Markets Owner: Vishu Patel Opened: between 1997 and 2000 Cooperative: Key Food Stores Location: 2325 Elizabeth Ave, Rahway, NJ Photographed: June 2022 We return to the Rahway Universal, again, for another update with the renovation very, very close to finished! We last saw the store back in January , when I said the same thing. But there was just one thing stopping me from saying the remodel was done. Before we head inside, we see the updated signage and renovated storefront facing Elizabeth Avenue. I actually do like the new logo and signage, but why did they put dark green lettering on a dark brown background with no outline or anything? I don't get that, but the store does look good. Here's an overview of the whole place... As we can see, the store looks way better than it did previously. It's only barely recognizable as the same building. Now let's just take a moment to appreciate how far we've come. In the last year or so, this store has been...

Universal Food Markets Owner: Vishu Patel Opened:  between 1997 and 2000 Cooperative:  Key Food Stores Location:  2325 Elizabeth Ave, Rahway, NJ Photographed:  December 2021 It's time for our fourth visit to Universal Food Markets in Rahway! There's still no updates to the signage outside, with no sign installed on the storefront yet nor a replacement for the sign facing Elizabeth Avenue, which looks a fair bit older than it actually is. But the signage inside is nearly finished, and the store continues to look better. We last saw the store in December  with the interior renovation moving along nicely but no signage inside at the time. There's still no exterior signage, and this area which I still assume is going to be the new entrance is not open yet. They may be wanting to put up the new signage here at the same time that the doors are installed. One piece of evidence that the entrance is going to be removed from where it is now, just out of frame to the left...

Universal Food Markets Owner: Vishu Patel Opened:  between 1997 and 2000 Cooperative:  Key Food Stores Location:  2325 Elizabeth Ave, Rahway, NJ Photographed:  November 2021 We return to Rahway for another Universal update, and oh boy is it a good one. We last stopped by Universal in July when the remodel was just beginning , and we observed a new facade going on the front along with some construction work going on inside. I am pleased to report that the remodel is nearing completion and the store looks better than ever. Also in the interim Universal has joined Key Food. Nice paint job on the new facade, and again, I have to assume the entrance is being moved over to the right side of the store into what is now the grand aisle... Come on, what else would you be building all that for?! Let's jump over to the inside for more evidence... Looks like it's being prepared for an entrance door since this whole area is tarped off. I actually kind of squeezed back here for th...