Kings Super Markets, the subject of much conversation in the Village since news broke of the proposed tenant for 870-888 Franklin Avenue, has now received final site plan approval from the Village Board of Trustees. All trustees in attendance voted in favor of the plans submitted by landlord Renaissance Development LLC (Albanese Development Corporation's joint venture with Castagna Realty). The use of the building for Kings was not in question, as it was an as of right use, as explained in last week's issue, but the actual designs were subject to approval by the Board.

Jane Mc Cooey, a resident of 9th Street, spoke twice during public speaking portions of the meeting, expressing concerns for the change in neighborhood. She asked the Village to consider landscaping the rear of the parking lot behind the store to conceal the new traffic it will generate and truck deliveries from view of the residents in the area. She also noted that she had serious apprehensions about the presence of shopping carts in the rear parking area.

Trustee Asselta said she too had concerns about the shopping carts and asked Director of Engineering and Store Development Kevin Bakalian of Kings Super Markets, Inc., who was in attendance to speak on the site plans, if it would be possible to have a cart corral. Bakalian noted that "Shopping carts are, unfortunately, a reality in food shopping. People are carrying a number of bags and people who come in want their carts to go to their cars. We will have, as we do in our other locations, a person out in the lot every hour that the store is open to help load cars and put carts away. In peak times we'll increase the number of people in the lot as needed."

While Kings offers a carry out service, Bakalian noted, "Some people prefer to take their groceries themselves." He joked, "Consumers in the communities we've dealt with [in upscale communities throughout New Jersey] are very possessive of their groceries. They want to take them with them and put them in their cars themselves." He also said, "In two minutes someone can collect 15 carts and they do sweeps frequently." In response to comments that residents had trouble having faith in the diligence of the cart collector, he noted that Kings has built a reputation of consideration for its neighbors and managers will ensure that collectors do their jobs well and in a timely fashion and any complaints will be immediately addressed.

In response to the cart corral suggestion he explained, "We've tested the cart coral systems and we've found that because of the 'P-trap' someone in a wheelchair would be put in an uncomfortable position with the posts too close to their heads. In light of sensitivity to the handicapped we find them less than desirable. Also, some Fire Departments had problems with restriction of egress as a result of the corrals as well." In order to accommodate aesthetic standards of residents in the Village, Kings has already included in their site plans prime store space for storage of the carts so that none will be left outside after the store closes. Also in light of aesthetics, consideration for noise reduction and avoiding damage to cars when carts get out of control, the carts will be mid-sized forest green plastic carts as in their other locations.

Bakalian said that Kings recognizes that the lot is a municipal lot and cleanup is the responsibility of the Village in terms of refuse, but that because of the company's commitment to the community, they will be willing to supplement the Village's staff with people of their own to pick up discarded trash not properly placed in receptacles. Bakalian also said that they are estimating ordering about 75 carts and first quality handled bags will be offered as well.

Residents had a number of questions about truck deliveries, including suggestions for using lay-by parking spaces for front door deliveries rather than in the rear parking lot. Trustee Kettner spoke as liaison to the Traffic Commission, which met right before the Village Board meeting, and said they had voted to not restrict lay-by parking. The Commission's thought was to encourage or "at least not discourage" people from running in and out of Kings and other such businesses. Bakalian also noted that they have arranged to have their food shipments consolidated with their suppliers with a special consolidator who arranges to have all of the different foods loaded on one truck. He also promised that no tractor trailers will make deliveries. Soda and bakeries are items that cannot be consolidated, however, because of the various competing companies and their policies, so for example, Pepsi products and Coke products would come on their own trucks, but none of these will be tractor trailers.

Bakalian explained that managers put in the orders through the consolidators and if the suppliers fail to comply, they are not paid by the consolidator. He noted that they have delivery trucks make deliveries to stores in very expensive homes, apartments, and condos throughout New Jersey. Also, he said that trucking can be coordinated between the soda suppliers to minimize the disruption to traffic in the community and the quiet of the west side of the building. He also noted that none of the trucks will be larger than the 24 or 25 feet straight trucks.

Garbage will be stored in a special refrigerated box in the basement, rather than crushed in a compactor and left in dumpsters in the back as is done with most supermarkets, Bakalian stated. The refrigerated box will store trash cans to prevent the smell of rotting perishables from wafting through the neighborhood. The trash cans will be washed out after the trash is picked up by the Village in a big slop sink in the basement of the store.

He also explained that as a part of England's Marks and Spencer they are held to an international reputation of exceptional quality of food safety. In many cases, he said, their standards are higher than the Board of Health's. Licensed employees work with the Board of Health to develop initiatives to continue to improve the standard of operation. For example, milk is stored at a temperature lower than that required for cold cuts. Also, different colored gloves are used to handle cooked meat and raw meat, to avoid cross-contamination. He added, "You won't find produce in our store that isn't fresh." He said, "We do our own taste tests and send it back to the suppliers if it doesn't meet our standards."

Kings offers a "huge amount of perishable items" and higher end groceries, according to Bakalian. Prepared foods ready to reheat or cook are available like Italian dishes that are prepackaged and done in 20 minutes at home. Vegetable medlys are prepared ready to sauté. "We are not a traditional store," he noted. He also said, in response to questions from Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Althea Robinson, who noted that she was pleased to welcome Kings to the Village, that outdoor dining will be provided outside the rear entrance. Tables and chairs will be available for lunch hour customers who come in for a prepackaged sandwich [a custom popularized in England at Marks and Spenser and other supermarkets throughout Great Britain. People can come in and grab chilled food, coffee, Danishes, single served soda, cubed produce or salad from the salad bar and enjoy eating it at the tables provided.

Bakalian also noted that their Consumer Affairs department will attend CPOA meetings and reach out to neighbors to address any complaints or concerns that may arise. Kings will join local associations, like the Chamber of Commerce, and engage in fund raisers in the community as they do in their other locations. Some fund raisers they have conducted in other communities include sending black tie waiters and food to annual barbecues, fund-raising events for the local fire departments, support of athletic teams, and individual donations. Employees are encouraged to volunteer. Bakalian himself visits a food bank twice a month in NJ to bring prepacked donations.

Bakalian described the Garden City site as "the apple of their eye" as they look to negotiate leases for additional Long Island sites. They are currently looking for four other sites, but at this stage of the negotiations he was not at liberty to disclose where these might be. He noted, "We are thrilled to be entertained by you [the Village Board] and your community." To help alleviate concerns he sited an example of their commitment to neighbors beyond reorganizing trucking schedules. One neighbor of a Kings did not enjoy the smell of barbecue chicken and so they took it upon themselves to install an ionizer to neutralize the smell at a cost to the store of $6,000. He noted, "That's what we'll do on our own to make one neighbor happy."

Residents, while some still had some concerns, all noted that they felt better after hearing Bakalian speak and hearing his personal pride in the company for which he works. They credited him personally as being a great spokesperson for the company who was able to address their reservations about the new change. With story after story of Kings working to accommodate neighbors, many said they left feeling more confident that Kings would be a good neighbor.

One issue raised by Chamber of Commerce Vice President Stu Greenberg, owner of 7th Street Stationery, was the impact Kings would have on Grand Union and the Food Basket. Bakalian noted that studies have demonstrated that there is a "tremendous weakage" in the Village, meaning that the majority of shoppers leave the Village to purchase groceries. He said that in Mountain Lakes they moved into a shopping center and joined the tenants' association and worked with the other stores there to raise the bar. The teamwork and presence of Kings generated more traffic in the center and improved business for all of the stores. Bakalian noted that it's a matter of achieving the right mix in a community and that he sees Kings as a store that will fill a niche not already capitalized on in the Village, drawing more to the area.

Trustee Torino complimented them on their plans and noted that plans for the exterior of the building will enhance the appearance of the area, particularly in conjunction with the improvements at the former A&S building. "[Renaissance Development is] going to remarkable steps to ensure the aesthetics of the buildings" are of a high quality.