Shaw's
Welcome back to Raynham! Remember being here before? We saw the Stop & Shop in town a while ago shortly before it closed, and its most direct competition was this Shaw's located just down the street. At 62,000 square feet, this store is almost exactly the same size as the now-closed Stop & Shop, and although it's a bit older, it's more recently renovated.
You enter on the right side to the grand aisle, with produce in the front-right corner. Deli and prepared foods are in the back-right corner, and service meat and seafood along with the cheese department are on the back wall. Meat and dairy line the back wall, with the rest of dairy and frozen on the left side. The bakery is in the front-left corner. A notable difference between this store and the closed Stop & Shop: this one doesn't have a pharmacy, and the Stop & Shop did.
As we can see, this store is a bit nicer than the Stop & Shop, which (even closure aside) was beginning to look rundown with aging decor. This one received a renovation around 2021, and here's a look inside the store prior to its renovation.
I assume this store got higher traffic than the Stop & Shop, which is what led to the S&S's closure. It was quite busy when I visited, but that was as Stop & Shop was almost completely empty.
The deli lines the right side of the back part of the grand aisle, in a typical Shaw's layout.
Many of the Shaw's stores of this era were built with dedicated cheese departments like this, such as Clinton.
If the level of stock of perishables is any indication, this store is pretty high volume.
A look across the back wall...
Here we can see the older flooring remaining.
The grocery aisles are standard -- exactly what we'd expect from a Shaw's.
As we can see, some of the refrigeration is new and some is older with new doors added...
This store does have a beer & wine department, which we don't typically see in Shaw's in MA.
Older, but painted, freezer cases.
20 aisles in total, excluding the grand aisle, with dairy on the outside of the last aisle.
And bakery is in the front-left corner.
It looks like a lot of the refrigeration in the bakery was replaced recently, and it also looks like there's no longer a service bakery case (although there is still a service bakery, but all cakes are now packaged and self-service) -- a change I'm seeing in a lot of Albertsons companies stores.
And a look across the front-end...
Opened: ca. early 1980s
Owner: Albertsons Companies
Previous Tenants: unknown
Cooperative: none
Location: 300 New State Hwy, Raynham, MA
Photographed: October 13, 2024
We're right outside of the larger town of Taunton here, and we're going to head into town tomorrow for a look at another Trucchi's. (Yes, there is a post on Saturday this week. Because of the relatively late addition of a few posts from some contributors, I had to rework the schedule a bit.) See you tomorrow!
Another Shaws? Ahhh...it's gonna be a good day!
ReplyDeleteThe place looks fantastic. I think both Shaw's and ACME (an possibly other Albertsons chains) are doing really great remodels without breaking the bank. Not the fanciest but the color pallets are spot on and always excellent font choices. As far as the flooring goes, I doubt much thought was given to the old flooring but have you ever seen old flooring go so well with new décor?
Notice too the lighting has been changed throughout the store. That was a project for sure. The old lighting was recessed and I can't see any indication remaining. Nice work.
You are right about the perishable selection! That cheese department is pretty insane for a traditional grocer. Seafood and meat look amazing too. Alberstons has done amazing work at the overall appearance of their stores. I know I keep saying it but wow, that produce department! The improvements I've seen in the produce departments of all the ACMEs I shop in has been nothing short of astounding. Particularly just in the past year.
Also have to say... Alberstons has created the most fascinating bakeries of any old-school grocer out there. The selection, particularly of the small grab-and-go items is like nothing I've seen before. While the quality isn't Wegman's level, the variety is off the charts. One of my favorite things to do as a kid was combine chocolate chip cookies with buttercream frosting. ACME now SELLS cups of mini chocolate chip cookies with buttercream frosting dip! Like 2 bucks. Did they read my mind?? (Truth be told I don't like ACME's buttercream frosting. Has a bit too much of a chemical taste to it. Their fudge frosting? Amazing. I'll take a bucket please.) Oh and individual brownies with a whole pile of peanut butter frosting and peanut butter cups on top? Gonna be the end of me. I love shopping the bakery at ACME but only pick something up every once in a while. I just love seeing all of the things they come up with. Who's creating this stuff? I want their job! While other chains give up the ghost with baking in-store, Alberstons seem to be ramping up the in-store work like never before! (See fresh cut fruit and veggies in the produce dept as well)
I know anytime I post a Shaw's, I can count on hearing from you!
DeleteI agree about the remodels -- but I just think they're very bland. Not as bad as some, but not as exciting color-wise or decor-wise as they could be. Still, I think they're aware of that -- if you see the new ACME decor (which I'm going to post this weekend, by the way!), it's much more colorful.
Good catch on the lighting. I didn't even notice that when I was here.
And yes, I love Albertsons' bakery! The brownies make regular appearances in my refrigerator... of course there's only so often that you can eat something as indulgent as that. Have you tried the chocolate colossal cake? That's one of my go-tos.
I think I have tried the colossal cake, but not sure. They were selling cake slices for a while that had a layer of chocolate chip cookie dough. I have never had a taste sensation like that! Haven't seen it in a while though. I love the grab and go cause I have NO self control when I get that stuff home. The brownies are the bomb! (A pile of fudge frosting with caramel and pecans? 5 bucks for four?? Amazing. But if I buy the box, they'll be gone within 24 hours.)
DeleteFrom our grocery store fan perspective, these décor packages do come off as a little bland but as a regular shopper, I think they hit a home run. The color schemes are very calming and allow the stores to focus the WOW on the cases and displays which is what I think Alberstons is doing. I wonder if ACME may be losing money on produce as the appearance of the departments is trumping the profitability. Kinda like Whole Foods approach. Impress the customers with "fresh" and they buy all the rest.
Side note: I have a new friend in my life. She is about as obsessed with ACME as I am. A new fan, has only been shopping ACME for about 5 years now since moving close to one. She told me she knows ShopRite is cheaper but chooses ACME because it feels like a "home town" store and the employees are friendly and make her feel like she's a valued shopper. (That's how you lock me in as well) Her husband feels the same way and drops $300 to $400 a week at their store. I really think ACME is selling a brand these days that is FINALLY resonating with people. I could go on and on analyzing it but I won't but even the employees' name tags that read "Sincerely, (employee's name)" gives me all the feels!!