Stop & Shop Proposal Includes Expanded Sales Floor, Basement Areas

Stop & Shop's proposed expansion has started the process of being heard by the town's land use boards with testimony Wednesday evening to the Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding a dispute over which variances are needed for the project.

The case remains before the zoning board, which delayed further testimony and discussion until a to be determined future meeting date. The decision was made because the board decided not to hear new witnesses following 10 p.m. The board will meet on June 14 to decide the date of the next meeting.

The proposed expansion will bring the 24,000 square foot sales floor to around 30,000 square feet. The expansion will also incorporate the store's 10,000 square foot basement into a food preparation area.

During testimony on Wednesday evening, the supermarket's representatives revealed aspects of the proposed expansion. The representatives said the expansion is needed to better serve customers, accustomed to the larger supermarkets.

The supermarket will tear down two adjacent office buildings in order to provide new parking spaces along with a redesigned front entry way to the building. At the north east entry to the newly designed parking lot, a new monument sign will be erected. The parking will also be set back two feet further from Elm Street than the current parking lot.

The back of the building will be redesigned in order to provide two loading docks instead of the current three. The area will also have a new elevator installed to transport items from the loading dock to the basement storage and prep areas.

On the south side of the building - the side furthest from Elm Street - an addition to the building will include a produce display and sales area. Supermarket representatives said this area will allow for more produce to be displayed for shoppers.

The new produce area will also feature two handicap bathrooms which will be the first bathroom facilities on the main sales floor of the supermarket. The current bathrooms in the basement will continue to exist but will be primarily for employees, along with serving as back-up facilities for customers.

The basement will be accessed by a new elevator and new staircases from both the interior and exterior of the building. The basement will continue to contain offices for the store manager and department heads, along with mechanical rooms, locker rooms, storage areas and a break room. The basement will also gain food preparation areas, which are currently on the main sales floor. Frank Maglio, the supermarket's corporate real estate director, said the moving of the food prep areas will allow for more sales area on the main floor. Supermarket representatives told the zoning board that all health code laws will be followed in the design of the food prep area in the basement.

Maglio said the produce prep area will include the storage of produce, along with sinks to prepare the produce for sale. He said there will no cooking of produce in the basement. He said 16 man hours a day will be used in this area.

In the bakery area, Maglio said there will be storing and baking uses of the basement prep area. This will include baking cookies, breads and muffins on site. These items would then be transported to the main sales floor for display and purchase. Maglio said employees will spend 16 man hours a day in this area.

In the deli part of the basement, Maglio said items will be stored and a rotisserie chicken prep area will be created. In this area, employees will place uncooked chickens on spits, which will then be transported to the main sales floor for cooking. Maglio said deli sandwiches will be prepared on the main sales floor. He estimated that 12 man hours a day will be dedicated to the deli department in the basement.

Maglio said the seafood department will use the basement to store frozen seafood, along with thawing items such as frozen shrimp. Some filleting of fish will be included in the area. He estimated that six to eight man hours a day will be needed in this area.

The supermarket's proposed outdoor display area will be for display only. Maglio said sales will not occur outside and items will not be needed to be carried inside. He said the area will allow for the display of seasonal outdoor items, which will also free up space in the interior of the store.

Maglio said in the fall, the store plans to display pumpkins, goulds, cabbage, kale plants and firewood outside. The store has ruled out plans to display haybales and corn stalks in Westfield.

In the winter, the store wil display wreaths, grave blankets, potted evergreens, firewood and salt on the outside. In the spring, outdoor displays will include plants, hanging baskets, mulch, top soil and patio furniture.

The board will consider the new date at the June 14 meeting, with a new meeting likely over the summer to resume testimony. Supermarket representatives have closed their case and public comments and questions will follow, along with board discussion. Following the board's decision on the technical issues, either the zoning board or the planning board will consider the site plans proposed by the supermarket.