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Health & Fitness

Shoppin in Franklin Lakes

SHOPPING IN FRANKLIN LAKES

BY

JACK GOUDSWARD

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As the holiday season come upon us we find that we are blessed with a number of shopping options. From the “Stop and Shop” shopping center, formally known as the “Grand Union “shopping center and others along Franklin Avenue. At the other end of town we have “The Market Basket” formally known as “Gristedes” in the Urban Farms Shopping Center.

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But few can remember the first chain store to come to Franklin Lakes. It moved into a newly built building at 799 Franklin Ave. and opened on Tuesday August 2. 1961. It was called “Foodtown”.This building was owned by Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Modarelli, who previously operated the “Franklin Lakes Market.” This building still stands today.

On opening day Mayor Frank Hankins cut the ribbon and called the store” Symbolic of the progress within the Borough of Franklin Lakes. Sixty years ago-in 1901- the proprietor of the first grocery story in town gave away deeds to building lots with every dollar purchase of Tea. Patrons found the store fully Air Conditioned and sold groceries on the first level and other commodities on the lower level.

When the lease ran out an “IGA” moved in to take the place of the Foodtown. Years later the “IGA” also moved out and an Auto Parts store move in. They left and the store was divvied into a number of smaller of smaller shops. Today the building still stands next to the “Lukoil” Gas Station-formally a Shell Station and one of four Gas Stations along Franklin Ave.  Today both buildings stand as silent witness to the changing shopping needs of the town.   

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