Shrewsbury Council Excited About Trader Joe's Opening

With the opening of Trader Joe's in Shrewsbury just days away, Mayor Donald Burden and borough council members expressed their excitement at cutting the ribbon on the specialty grocer's sixth New Jersey store.

"We are tremendously excited to welcome Trader Joe's to our business community," Burden said prior to the beginning of Monday night's council meeting in Shrewsbury.

The market opens at 8am on Friday.

Burden said that Trader Joe's team members have worked well with the borough and the council over the past few months during the store's construction phase concerning everything from signage to traffic impact. 

"I would like to acknowledge the cooperation of the Trader Joe's team members in working together to ensure that they are totally integrated into the community of Shrewsbury,"  Burden said.

The specialty grocer is located in a shopping center on Route 35 in the space that once occupied the former Treasure Island store. The other anchor store is Staples. There are several other stores and restaurants in the shopping center.

Burden said that traffic congestion on Route 35 may be expected on Friday and for the next few days after Trader Joe's opening.

"It (traffic) may be initially heavy until people adjust to the new traffic patterns on the highway," Burden said.

Councilman Michael Denofa said that the addition of Trader Joe's as a new business will be beneficial to the borough.

"I think it is going to be a benefit to the town, and Trader Joe's will be a bonus to other businesses in the shopping center," Denofa said.

Councilman Anthony Pellegrino said he is also anticipating the store's opening.

"I am very excited about the opening of Trader Joe's; it is a unique store that will be a great addition to Shrewsbury," he said.

Councilman William Dodge said he is also anxious for the store to open.

"I feel flattered that Trader Joe's would bring its business model to Shrewsbury; they are representing themselves as an outstanding partner, and as we endeavor to integrate this new  store into our community I look forward to many years of success," Dodge said.

In other matters, Borough Administrator Thomas Seaman said the Tax Collector's Office is gearing up to handle a new responsibility in issuing tax credits to residents in their property tax bills in what was once named NJ Homestead Rebates.

"The Homestead Benefit Program was once where qualified residents (homeowners)  would receive a check from the state," Seaman said.  "Now," he added"the state is sending municipalities one payment that covers everybody and then Shrewsbury will credit each individual's tax bill for the second quarter, and by April 1 I will send out adjusted second quarter tax bills."

Seaman is also the Borough Tax Collector.

In other business, Dodge said that the Finance Committee is still trying for dates in early April for the budget workshops. The workshops, which will be open to the public will help bring more transparency to budget discussions.

Seaman said that he had received word from the state that state aid will remain the same at $381,641.