Is there a Quick Chek store in the Village of Florida's future?

FLORIDA—It won't take the place of a full-service grocery store but Village of Florida residents may be getting a 6,800-square foot Quick Chek convenience store complete with gas station. The New Jersey-based company, which operates 133 stores in New Jersey, is going before the village's Planning Board on Wednesday, April 27, for a public hearing on a plan that would raze the Big V building and erect a new store. The Big V Supermarket was in Florida for more than 40 years before closing in 2002. Big V corporate headquarters is part of the building, but that part will remain intact if the Quick Chek plan goes through. "I'm happy it's coming in," Village of Florida Mayor James Pawliczek said. "It's not an ideal situation but it will relieve some of the burden we are experiencing locally." Pawliczek said the store will carry a full line of groceries, but no meat section. A gas station also will be included in the plan. The first Quick Chek store opened in 1967 in Dunellen, N.J. Now, there are 133 stores throughout New Jersey, including 12 with pharmacies and three with gas stations. Even with this new store planned, Pawliczek said the door remains open for a grocery store to come to the village. "A new grocery store could come in along 17A," he said. "As the population grows, I'm sure we'll be addressing a butcher or grocery store again." Pawliczek, a Realtor, said he was kept informed of the progress of the deal throughout the process. However, he was not involved in any negotiations on a professional level. The deal was brought about, he said, by Tim Flanagan, who previously worked with ShopRite. "Obviously ShopRite considers this a good deal," he said, noting that Florida residents will still use either the Warwick or Chester ShopRite for many grocery needs. "This will satisfy our needs to some extent," he added. "We'll see how it works out." The Planning Board meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center on Cohen Circle to accommodate a large crowd.