Sprouts Supermarket To Anchor Toms River Shopping Center Overhaul

Paramount Realty wants to rebuild the shopping center at 1220 Hooper Ave. in Toms River. The work will bring a Sprouts supermarket and six new businesses. The Lakewood-based property owner heads to the planning board on March 18 seeking approval.

Three new freestanding buildings will rise at the location across from Ocean County Mall. Sprouts gets one building. Two others will feature drive-through lanes for food and drinks. A 258-square-foot addition will expand an existing nail salon.

According to Shorebeat.com, Sprouts runs 483 locations across the country but maintains just five stores in New Jersey. The proposed Toms River site would be the chain's first in Ocean County and the Shore area. Aberdeen hosts the nearest store.

The Phoenix-based chain sells natural and organic foods. Shoppers find fresh produce, bulk foods, packaged groceries, meat, poultry, seafood, deli items, baked goods, dairy products, and frozen foods. Vitamins, beauty products, and household items fill out the inventory.

Anchor tenants abandoned the shopping plaza as retail moved online in recent years. An Encore Dental office and Burlington retail store now occupy the space.

Site improvements include demolishing some existing buildings and reworking the parking lot. Plans show new drive-through lanes, off-street parking, solid waste storage, lighting, landscaping, and signage.

The application requires variances. The proposed setback from Hooper Avenue measures 72 feet, whereas codes demand 100 feet. A landscaping buffer will span 9 feet where 100 feet is typically required, though this condition existed before the current proposal.

Drive aisles will measure 21 feet wide where 24 feet is standard. Signage for drive-through lane operations also needs relief.

The planning board meets at 6 p.m. at the township municipal complex on Washington Street.