Business notebook: ShopRite of Monroe grand re-opening June 1 - Custom motorcycle from Orange County Chopper on display for fundraiser

MONROE - Grocery shoppers may actually want to form a chorus line and dance the high-kicking “can-can” when they see what’s new and improved at ShopRite of Monroe when it hosts its grand re-opening this Sunday, June 1. The store, which has been undergoing a major facelift over the past few months, will be showcasing its new departments, products and services and is looking to re-present itself as a key community member to all who shop there, according to store director Peter Romero. “We’re still a traditional supermarket, but we are creating a gourmet section within each department featuringstore-made prepared foods made with fresh ingredients,” said Romero. “And, we’ve significantly increased our perishable items both in quality and assortment.” For instance, the store now features a fresh, made-to-order sushi bar, with more 40 different types of sushi available in addition to freshly made packaged items. “We have raw and cooked,” said sushi “chef” Thiri Lam Kumar, as he prepared selections. “The California rolls are the most popular.” The new imported cheese department features over 300 varieties for cheese connoisseurs as well as a store-made mozzarella program where shoppers can watch that cheese being made. “We’ll give you a taste of any cheese you want,” said deli manager Joyce Berdecia as she talked to Susana Rodriguez of Monroe about the cheese samples from Holland and Spain she was offering. “Our signs also give you a complete description of each cheese’s flavor and texture.” Romero said department associates will assist anyone looking to make cheese selections for parties, including platter arrangement, and will give suggestions for wine pairings. Adjacent to the expanded fresh fruits and vegetable department, now featuring more than 100 organically grown fruits and vegetables, Highland Mills resident Kathy Lange was checking out the olives at the new antipasto/olive bar. “I do like the Greek olives,” she said, filling up a container. There’s also a new shrimp bar, featuring three different types of freshly cooked shrimps daily as well as raw shrimp. “Cocktail” (a special sauce), honey mustard and lemon Dijon shrimp were recent featured items. Each day, the store rotates selections. Getting hungry yet? Then take a look at the new perishable items in the expanded seafood department. Choices include lobster salmon pinwheels; portabella mushrooms stuffed with fresh seafood salad, marinated fish-of-the day kabobs and homemade crab cakes. In addition to the prepared seafood items, the store now stocks new fresh and frozen seafood selections, including items like mahi mahi and tilapia, all to appeal to customers who have requested additional products, said Romero. The bakery department now makes wedding cakes in addition to any type of requested custom cake for any occasion. Romero boasted about the store’s “signature” fruit torte, as baker Chris Menzzasalma was busy making lemon meringue pies. “I’ll make 24 of these,” Menzzasalma said, using her gloved hand to make meringue points on the pies. “They may go before the end of the day.” The new service meat department features eight butchers who will rotate daily as the “hometown” butcher, analogous to the “old time” butchers of yesteryear, and spend time talking to customers about meat cuts. “We’ll cut it any way you want it and talk to you about the best cuts and why,” said meat manager Ed Kelly, as he showed the packaged thinly cut meats, part of the store’s “unique cuts program,” adding, “we want to make it convenient.” The store only carries USDA choice cuts or better. The new ShopRite also includes two “special stores within a store,” said Romero. The expanded natural and organic area, known as ShopRite’s “Live Right” department, has doubled in size and features over 1,000 items (and growing) for those interested in these types of healthy foods. In particular, that department now features a full aisle devoted to gluten-free products in response to consumer requests. The store’s revamped kosher department now features 500 items (and growing), and has received rave reviews from the Jewish community, Romero said. Both departments now include frozen foods to make it easier for buyers to make selections in one area, and he welcomed suggestions for new products. For those needing flowers, the revamped floral department now features an in-house, BOCES-trained florist who can make virtually any desired arrangement for any occasion, including corsages and presentation bouquets. The floral department, Romero said, will gear itself to all holidays, including designing masculine-oriented arrangements for Father’s Day and the upcoming Jewish holiday of Shavout, a harvest holiday. Like a proud father showing off his newborn, Romero said he felt the new redesign, fixtures, lighting, colors, and signage gave the store an “ambiance similar to a department store.” He declined to discuss the cost of the renovation, store financial statistics and shopper volume, citing corporate policy. But Romero did want to remind community, service, educational and religious organizations that ShopRite is ready to help with their various events. “We’re very community focused,” he said. “We want to be immersed with our community partners. We know they shop here.” He’ll be hosting a lunch meeting for a mother’s group on June 6 to talk about the store’s “Live Right” offerings and will be happy to schedule similar meetings for any group interested in learning more about healthy food choices. As store associates continued working on final touches in preparation for Sunday’s grand re-opening, Romero said he felt the “new” store, which will continue to have a Walden Savings Bank branch and Dunkin’ Donuts based there, responded to community needs and requests. “We want to remain competitive not just in terms of pricing, but in value,” Romero said. “It’s not just always about pricing, it’s about quality, selection and service. We do want to make this a one-stop shopping experience.” If you go • ShopRite of Monroe will host its grand re-opening on Sunday, June 1, at noon, with a ribbon cutting featuring local elected officials. • The event will feature raffle and giveaways, and performances by the Monroe-Woodbury High School jazz quartet and drama club; face painting for kids; free ice cream from an ice cream truck; a trivia contest; and a visit and photos with ShopRite’s mascot, “Scrunchy the Bear.” • For additional information, call 783-4496.