A long-awaited redevelopment project finally came alive on Friday as big-box retailer BJ's Wholesale Club opened its newest store on Route 10 in the Whippany section of Hanover.
The store is the centerpiece of the redevelopment of the Pine Plaza shopping center, which closed in 2020 and was demolished in 2021. Now known as Hanover Towne Center, additional plans for the 23-acre site include 60 townhomes, a standalone Chick-fil-A and three more available spaces likely to be filled by restaurants or retail.
Mayor Thomas "Ace" Gallagher said the Hanover Centre is one of the priorities among the many commercial redevelopment projects in the township, along with the former Morris County Mall, now known as Cedar Knolls Plaza, where Morris County's first Amazon Fresh store is expected to open this year.
BJ's "is an incredible company and we worked very hard to bring them into the township," Gallagher said. "It's a very good [tax] ratable and another example of us working hard to repurpose and rejuvenate commercial properties in Hanover Township."
Big box retailers such as Costco, BJ's and Walmart subsidiary Sam's Club offer steep discounts for paid members on a variety of consumer goods frequently sold in bulk.
The only other BJ's locations in Morris County are in Riverdale and Roxbury. Costco operates in Wharton and East Hanover. The only Sam's Club in the county, in Mount Olive, closed in 2018.
New BJ's will benefit food banks
As it joins the Hanover community, BJ's Wholesale is partnering with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside by donating produce, meat, dairy products and more every week to Food for Hope, a food pantry opening this weekend at Christ Church in Rockaway Township. BJ's will also donate to the Interfaith Food Pantry in Parsippany.
BJ’s Charitable Foundation is also giving $75,000 to CFBNJ to support its Family Pack program, which provides more than 25,000 meals to students and their families to help ease food insecurity on weekends.
“BJ’s Wholesale Club has been a valuable supporter in building healthier communities in New Jersey,” Elizabeth McCarthy, the CEO of Community Food Bank, said in BJ's opening announcement. “We’re grateful for their ongoing partnership, and we’re thrilled to continue our work together.”
Added BJ's Club Manager Mauro Amato: “Our purpose is to take care of the families who depend on us, and we’re thrilled to be part of the community.
The Hanover site will also include a BJ's Gas location, the company said.