- 10 hours ago
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Hi all, it's Mepha's Pawnee.
00:02Look at the front, where it says AIM's real big.
00:31AIM's real big.
00:34I'm here at ShopRite today.
00:37My recent travels have brought me to this area quite often and I've been intrigued by this store.
00:43Just because it looks very dated and old on the outside.
00:47Well, the thing about it is, it is.
00:50It's been here since 1973.
00:52It opened up as shopping bag.
00:54And I'll go into the history and details about this place as we walk through the store.
00:59I wanted to check it out because there's neon lights in there and you can tell that this is an
01:04old store.
01:05And they're closing up in December here in 2025 to relocate up the road a mile or so into the
01:13old Kmart that was there.
01:15It's going to be double the size of this location and they'll have much more product available.
01:21And I imagine it'll be a lot busier too.
01:24But yeah, the Kmart's getting subdivided into other stores including a Dollar Tree.
01:28And ShopRite's going to take over majority of that property.
01:32I've been to a few ShopRites here in Jersey since I moved here.
01:36And they're all awesome stores.
01:38Everybody's always so friendly at each location.
01:40And that very much was the case here at this store.
01:44Every time I shop in here, whether I'm doing DoorDash work or getting something for home, it's always been a
01:49pleasant experience.
01:50Now don't mind the flashing lights next to me.
01:53Yeah, there is a police car here from Gloucester Township.
01:56They work as security detail here, at least in the evenings when I'm here.
02:01There's been a couple of times I come by here in the morning and afternoon.
02:05And I don't know if they work as security then, but they do here at nighttime.
02:10I'm not entirely sure that this place is that bad of an area.
02:15I feel very safe when I'm here.
02:17They do have security that works here.
02:19And like I said, a police officer.
02:22And usually everybody's really nice.
02:24I was just speaking with the security guard inside tonight and we were just joking around.
02:29Because I needed a hand basket to pick up some items to make it easier.
02:33Because I don't need a whole shopping cart.
02:35And he said they just discontinued them not too long ago because people were stealing the hand baskets out of
02:41the store.
02:41Because they didn't want to pay 33 cents or 25 cents for a reusable bag since New Jersey doesn't like
02:48plastic bags very much.
02:50But anyway, I thought I'd take us back in time into this store and show you all around.
02:55It's really awesome inside.
02:56But it's definitely dated and I like that.
03:00The new one's going to look fantastic, I'm sure.
03:02But let's go take a step back in time and check out some neon and just this old layout of
03:07this old grocery store.
03:08And I will tell you about the history of this location.
03:11Many thanks to my friend Sleeve Did It here on YouTube.
03:14He provided a lot of info, which will be vital for this video.
03:18So, come along with me.
03:20Let's go inside and see what we find.
03:24There is their sign on the main road to get your attention to come out to this shop, right?
03:31I know it's a little bit dark, but it's an awesome looking store just alone on the outside.
03:37It grabbed my attention the very first time I went by it.
03:41And I knew it was old just because of the pharmacy sign right there.
03:47But anyway, let's take a look inside of the store.
03:51See how it looks.
03:52I know I've been dragging this out a little bit.
03:54And see what we find.
03:55There you see up there is the old logo.
03:58You don't see that a lot at the newer stores.
04:02It's definitely showing its age.
04:04It's cracked.
04:04It's vintage.
04:06And their logo looks a lot different nowadays.
04:09But still cool to see a piece of old retail history here on this old building.
04:14Hopefully it gets saved.
04:16Probably won't.
04:17But one can think and dream.
04:19Here's another look at the shop right a little bit closer up to the entrance.
04:25Love that big entrance way into the store.
04:31Alright.
04:32No kidding this time.
04:34Let's go inside.
04:44Okay everyone.
04:46As we take a walk through this grocery store.
04:48I want to thank my friend SleeveDidIt here on YouTube.
04:52For a lot of great information.
04:54Talking about the history of this particular store.
04:57It opened up in 1973.
05:00As George Zally's shopping bag of Laurel Hill.
05:05In 1980 Zally joined the Wake Fern Cooperative.
05:09And this store became his first shop right in New Jersey.
05:14In 1983.
05:15The store was remodeled.
05:17And later expanded to its current size.
05:20This became Zally Supermarket's home base.
05:22As a former Eckerd nearby became George Zally Sr.'s office.
05:28That building is still on the property.
05:46By 1987.
05:47The West Berlin shop right opened.
05:50Becoming Zally's flagship store.
05:52The Laurel Hill store would never receive another remodel.
05:56And has remained exactly as you see it.
05:59From 40 years ago.
06:08In 2011.
06:10George Zally Sr. passed away.
06:12Leaving control of his seven New Jersey supermarkets.
06:15And one in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia.
06:18Under the ownership of his three sons.
06:20David, Bruce and George Jr.
06:24In 2020.
06:25David Zally sued his brothers.
06:28Over their unwillingness to upgrade their stores.
06:31Bruce and George Jr. retired.
06:34And sold their stakes in the stores to David.
06:36Who had already owned three shop rights of his own.
06:39Under his company.
06:40Somerset Supermarkets.
06:41Zally Somerset Supermarkets.
06:45Has since become Zally Family Markets.
06:48As of the Laurel Hill store's 50th anniversary.
06:51In 2023.
07:21It was made and made.
07:25I thoroughly enjoyed this step back in time, the sights and sounds of the neon bulbs glowing
07:32and buzzing, just feeling the dated feel to this store. It's not a shoebox like most places are
07:40today and like the new ShopRite will be just up the road. Though it'll be a nice upgrade and much
07:46larger and it'll feature more products, I like this grocery store for that nostalgic feel.
07:53You just don't see them like this anymore.
08:05I will mention, even though this store does look tired and dated, I like it. It was kept up nice.
08:13The employees here are always very friendly every time I stop in here and the store is always clean.
08:20Things are easy to find in here, well organized, and I notice a lot of items are always well in
08:26stock.
08:34Check that out, that is awesome. So is that. That's really cool.
08:45I'm grateful to hear that once this store closes and the newer and bigger store opens up just up
08:51the street, that everybody here will be transferring over there and keeping their jobs. They'll probably
08:57be hiring more people as well to tend to the larger store. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the
09:05sights
09:06and sounds around this old ShopRite grocery store and enjoy this step back in time.
09:36That's good, no problem.
09:41That's a great place.
09:50A good place for businesses to help visit the house.
09:57Even though there are many places, there are many places.
09:57And it's a great place for a lot of places for a lot.
09:58I'm going to take this place to get them on my own.
10:35Oh
13:36And until we can meet again, everybody, take care and stay awesome.
13:40And hopefully you're not blind by now from the flashing lights from the cop car sitting
13:44outside.
13:45Anyway, take care, guys.
13:46Stay awesome.
13:47See you next time.
13:48Bye-bye.
13:49Bye-bye.
13:50Bye-bye.
14:10Bye-bye.
14:25Bye-bye.
14:26Bye-bye.
14:27Bye-bye.
14:36Bye-bye.
14:41Bye-bye.
14:42Bye-bye.
14:43Bye-bye.
14:46Bye-bye.
14:49Bye-bye.
14:52Bye-bye.
15:03Bye-bye.
15:24Take control of my heart, baby
15:28Take control, take control
15:32Take control of my heart, baby
15:36Take control, take control
15:40Take control of my mind
15:43I'm only taking control
15:47Take control of my mind
15:51I'm only taking control
16:05Take control of my mind
16:05I'm only taking control
16:09I'm only taking control
16:28Deep inside my mind there lies a place
16:33Where I am safe from all the complications
16:38Love forever looks with you