Stop & Shop will permanently close two longtime New Jersey supermarkets in fall 2026, affecting customers and employees in Basking Ridge and Westfield. Both stores remain open, but shoppers should prepare for changes to grocery access, pickup and other location-based services.
The closures followed separate reviews of store operations. Stop & Shop says they are not part of a broader plan to close additional stores in this New Jersey market.
Which Stop & Shop stores are closing?
- Basking Ridge: 553 South Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
- Expected closure: Sometime in October 2026
- Westfield: 219 Elm Street, Westfield, NJ 07090
- Expected closure: Early fall 2026
No exact final business date has been announced for either location. Customers should rely on notices from the stores as the closure dates approach.
When will the Basking Ridge store close?
The Basking Ridge supermarket is expected to close in October 2026, when its lease at Lyons Mall expires. The location has operated as a Stop & Shop since 2001, after replacing Grand Union, the shopping center’s original grocery tenant.
Stop & Shop’s directory separately lists a gas station at 8 Stonehouse Road. Closure announcements have not confirmed whether that fuel location will also shut, so customers should verify its status directly.
Green’s Natural Foods will remain a grocery option in Basking Ridge. ShopRite in Bernardsville and Stop & Shop stores in nearby communities may provide alternatives.
What will replace the Basking Ridge store?
The Lyons Mall landlord has informed township officials that a new tenant is preparing plans and specifications for review. The tenant’s identity, proposed business and opening date have not been disclosed.
During the supermarket’s wind-down, usable products are expected to be coordinated with local food-bank networks so eligible inventory can support people in the area.
What is happening at the Westfield location?
The Westfield store will operate through early fall 2026, but its final day has not been confirmed. The privately owned Elm Street property was sold during the first quarter of 2026.
Westfield officials have held discussions with the new owners, who have experience repositioning and finding new tenants for commercial properties. However, no replacement supermarket, residential project or other future use has been formally announced.
Why is Stop & Shop closing the stores?
A company representative said each decision followed a routine evaluation of store operations. Stop & Shop has not released sales, traffic or profitability figures for either location, so the closures cannot be attributed to one confirmed financial problem.
Traditional supermarkets face narrow margins, higher operating expenses and strong competition from discount grocers, warehouse clubs and online delivery services. Other operators are making similar location-level changes, including the Albertsons store closures and workforce reductions announced during 2026.
Is Stop & Shop going out of business?
No. Stop & Shop, owned by Dutch grocery group Ahold Delhaize, continues to operate more than 350 supermarkets across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.
The situation differs from a complete business shutdown. For example, Wren Kitchens closed its U.S. stores following a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, while Stop & Shop is closing two individually evaluated locations and continuing to operate its wider network.
Stop & Shop has remodeled more than 190 stores since 2018. Its broader strategy includes price investments, promotions, online shopping and directing resources toward locations considered capable of long-term growth.
Are these part of the previous 32 closures?
No. Basking Ridge and Westfield were not included in the 32-store program announced in July 2024.
That earlier restructuring affected stores across five Northeastern states, including 10 New Jersey locations. In its official announcement about the 2024 closures, the company said affected associates would receive other employment opportunities and investment would continue in prices and remodeled stores.
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What happens to employees?
Employees at both closing supermarkets will be offered opportunities to transfer to other Stop & Shop locations. The company has not disclosed how many workers are affected or how many will accept transfers.
Nearby possibilities for Basking Ridge employees reportedly include Berkeley Heights, Madison and Watchung. Individual placements will depend on available jobs and personal circumstances.
What customers should do before the closures
Customers should monitor official notices for final dates, inventory changes and updates to delivery or pickup. Anyone using a pharmacy or another location-specific service should contact the store about transfer arrangements.
GO Rewards accounts operate across the Stop & Shop network, but customers may need to change their preferred store for digital offers, pickup or online orders. Closing discounts and replacement tenants have not been confirmed, so shoppers should treat related claims as speculation until official details are released.
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