"We are aware of the closing," said Mayor Dennis Elwell. "We are going to attempt in every way possible to increase our shuttle and senior bus service to Stop & Shop. We're going to do everything we can for our residents."
Town Administrator Anthony Iacono said, "There has been an outcry from the community about Acme because of the central location because there are so many seniors who actually walk there. You can't walk to the Stop & Shop, especially if you're a senior."
Iacono said the town is exploring several options.
"Senior shopping is a program we are looking to explore as a potential development," he said. "It would be a once-a-week, essential shopping checklist for seniors. It wouldn't be an elaborate grocery list, but your essentials...milk, eggs, toilet paper." The program might involve a delivery service.
Iacono added, "We're also increasing shuttle services too. This public outcry is a serious concern."
Karyn Urtnowski, director of social services, said, "With the closing of the Acme, we have planned Tuesday morning trips to a variety of supermarkets. Reservations are necessary and may be made by calling the Senior Center. Please keep in mind that there are trips to Stop & Shop every Wednesday, as well as Sundays and every other Saturday."
Residents over 55 years of age who do not have cars and who previously walked to the Acme may ride the bus as long as they have a bus pass. Call the Senior Center at (201) 330-2034 for more information.
Bus destinations include: the Clifton Acme the morning of Oct. 5, ShopRite the morning of Oct. 14 with Century buffet that afternoon, and Pathmark the morning of Oct. 19 with Corrado's in Clifton in the afternoon. There will be another ShopRite trip on Oct. 26, and the final trip of the season to Demarest Farms Farmer's Market will be on the afternoon of Oct. 26. Call (201) 330-2034 for reservations.
It is not clear who the next tenant of the building will be, according to Iacono. CVS and another store are surveying the site.
Resident response
Many residents are upset about the Acme closing and said they would shop at Stop & Shop. However, some residents intend to shop in a different town.
Gae Weidenmuller of Secaucus is upset about the closing. "I'm really going to miss it," she said. "There's nothing much you can do now."
She said she will shop at the Stop & Shop at the Mill Creek Mall and the Shop Rite in Hackensack. Weidenmuller also said she does not see the value of having a CVS open in that location, since there is already a CVS at the Mill Creek Mall and she buys her prescription drugs from Marra's Drug Store, located along Paterson Plank Road.
Catherine Preinfaulk of Secaucus was another unhappy resident. She said, "It's very sad. What can I say?" She said she has been shopping at Acme ever since she moved to town seven years ago.
Preinfaulk says she is being forced into an inconvenient situation because she does not drive. The Acme was always accessible to her.
Like many other residents, Preinfaulk intends to do her food shopping at the Stop & Shop. Because she doesn't drive, she hopes her son can drive her once a week.
Clovis James and Eba Dastellano run errands, including food shopping, for a different local resident. The two have shopped at Acme for a long time, coming as often as two or three times per week. James said she doesn't know where they will go for food shopping now. She said, "Not everybody has a car to get around."
She, like many other residents, hopes another supermarket replaces Acme.
"CVS doesn't sell food," she said.
Rosa and Osvaldo Lorenzo have lived in Secaucus for approximately five years. While they mostly shopped for food at other supermarkets, they stopped at Acme when they needed just a handful of items.
Rosa said, "The town needs a nice supermarket. You have to go to Jersey City or Union City."
A poem from the management
Walking through the aisles of Acme in its last week, there was a solemn tone throughout the store. The shelves were half empty. The photocopy machine by the exit was turned off and moved off to the side.
A poem was posted at the exit door:
I can't believe we're closing - after all these years. / It isn't easy to go through this - without filling with tears. / Customers and Acme Personnel have gotten very close - they have become friends. / Just think that in a few short weeks, this friendship had to end. / I would just like to 'THANK' each and every customer that have come through the doors. / You have made my job so enjoyable - it has been a pleasure working at this store. / Now we know nothing is forever and things have got to change, but no one knows why. / I for one will miss each and every one of you - It is not easy saying 'GOOD BYE.' Thanks. Arlene"
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