Where they watch their 'Ps' and 'Qs'

Everyone has their favorite store–it’s the one where you’ve memorized the shelves. Any change in that lineup confuses us and causes moments of dislocation. But we get over it, especially if it’s our “home” store.  That’s the one you count on for all the basics and try desperately to make your first and last stop.  Good luck with that. 

I have my favorite. Not only is it the closest store to my house it’s by far the friendliest.  I’ve shopped in my pajamas there, gotten to know just about everyone who works there, and even learned one of Morris County’s best kept secrets there. P.S. I promise not to shop in my pajamas again, unless well, you know, it’s Sunday morning and there’s no bacon! 

Friendliest 

I overheard the manager coaching a new employee in the vegetable aisle just a couple of months ago, “These aren’t just our customers, they’re our friends and neighbors, so that’s the way we treat them.  That pep talk must work because that is just the way they treat us.  Easily as friendly and helpful as the employees at , the staff of the go the extra mile, they know you. It’s nice to be remembered, to have a store employee recognize you and ask “How’re we doing today?”  It’s an attitude that infects the whole store, from the butchers to the checkers.   

Selection 

This A&P is not a “superstore” like the ones in Boonton or Randolph, so they don’t have vast quantities of everything. What they do have is a selection based on what their customers ask for.  If you want it they’ll try and stock it and they do have one thing those stores don’t: a liquor aisle. Eat your hearts out, superstores!  The prices on liquor are competitive as well, which saves trips to Gary’s or Bottle king. 

Another special feature of this A&P is they have the best baguettes in the area, bar none. Kings’ might be fancier, but the basic A&P ACE baguette is better, a rich thick toothsome treat.  How they do that, I’ve no idea.  They have a lot of other breads and rolls baked right on site and fresh daily, a whole selection of ciabattas, foccacias, Portuguese rolls and croissants. All of them are good, and you can’t beat fresh.  

The secret 

There is one carefully watched employee of this store and his name begins with Fred, (hope that doesn’t give it away). Of all the great employees, he’s one who’s arrival brings cell phones all over the store to the mouths of their owners. They are calling their friends to let them know Fred’s in the house and good things could happen any minute. When Fred starts the fryer behind the deli counter, mouths begin to water, dinner menus change and suburban assault vehicles begin to race down the winding mountain roads of the town and township. They are all heading for the fried chicken stand that Fred will soon fill.  You can ask Fred how he makes the best chicken in northern New Jersey, and he’ll flash you a big wide smile.  He won’t tell you though, unless somehow it's smiling at it that does the trick.  However, fried chicken is something he’s very serious about. It’s best when it’s fresh and hot, so send in your agents early and keep your cell phone close.  

There are a lot of things to like about this store: the people, the produce, the selection and the friendly feel of the place.  There was a rumor that A&P might close this one down, but that’s not likely. Prime location, loyal customers, liquor license, best crew around, nah, not happening. 

There is one additional difference between this grocery store and just about every other one I’ve ever been to. It’s the music. That’s a recent change but the music’s great.  Wafting over the aisles is an eclectic mix of popular music that is really out of the ordinary. Have you ever heard of another store where the customers can be heard booing the interrupting announcements, or where there is a sing-along in aisle 7?  That’s the pasta aisle, so I guess it’s no surprise.  Although I hear they take a sterner view of dancing in frozen foods.

All in all, the A&P on Washington is one the gems of the area and well worth a visit or a little shelf familiarization. Just stay out of my way when Fred’s in the house.  

Prentiss Gray is a 30 year Morris Township resident, qualifying him only as a “long term visitor” to this historic area.  He writes professionally as a freelancer for Gannett in the Domesti-tech blog and makes frequent contributions to Speak Without Interruption, an international on-line magazine.  He also writes and edits travel and historical journals.