Grocery Outlet, Promoting Lower Prices, Coming Soon To Hazlet

HAZLET, NJ — A new "extreme-value" grocery store is opening soon in Hazlet, and the timing seems just right, given the higher food prices everywhere lately.

Grocery Outlet, based in Emeryville, Calif., says it offers customers "big savings on brand-name products."

And the ownership will be independent and local, with a family from Keansburg, the Encarnacion family, at the helm.

The Grocery Outlet at 3057 Route 35, 07730 is offering lots of promotions and specials opening day, Thursday, Feb. 2, the store owners say. And it is creating 25 new jobs in the community, the company adds.

The company has more than 400 locations throughout California, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington, as well as New Jersey - with another store in Hamilton in Mercer County.

Stores are owned by independent operators based in the communities they serve, the company says.

In Hazlet, owners are Kent and Tracy Encarnacion, and they invite the community to attend the grand opening celebration on Thursday, Feb. 2, starting at 4 p.m. The store opens at 8 a.m. for the promotions.

The Encarnacions, of Keansburg, both have a background in grocery operations and restaurant experience, they said.

“We are so thrilled to be a part of the Hazlet community and provide big savings on quality groceries to relieve some financial burden families are facing amid the ongoing record-high inflation and supply chain challenges," they said in a news release.

They added that the "partnership with Grocery Outlet gives us the ability to grow our business, create new jobs and more importantly, give back to the local community.”

Kent Encarcion said he is a "Filipino American with a proud heritage. My grandfather served in the U.S. Navy for 38 years in both World Wars. My father was in the U.S. Navy for 27 years as a Vietnam Veteran. For me, not so glamorous, I was recruited into the U.S. Army and served this great country for only three years and did not see combat, however, served during Desert Storm."

Tracy has degrees in business and management and two of their four adult children will be involved in the store as well: Their oldest son Kody will be working with them and their next oldest daughter Kacy will also be a team member, the family said.

Grocery Outlet offers a full range of products including fresh produce, meat, deli and dairy, along with a wide assortment of natural and organic choices. It also carries health and beauty care, as well as seasonal items, the company says.

There will be a nonprofit donation presented at the event also: A $1,000 donation will be presented on behalf of the owners to the Community Meals program at St. John’s United Methodist Church. the program provides free meals to the homeless. The owners will also donate $500 to Keansburg EMS to support emergency services in the community.

Beginning at 8 a.m., the first 100 customers will receive a Grocery Outlet "Bliss Buck" gift card in mystery amounts ranging from $5 to $500. In addition, all shoppers will receive a free limited-edition reusable bag, while supplies last. There is a limit of one bag.

There will also be a "Wheel of Bargains' Spin & Win" for a chance to win a prize.

In celebration of the grand opening, from Monday, Jan. 23, through March 2 customers may enter for a chance to win a gift certificate for groceries any time online.

To enter, customers may access the online contest. Entry must include a valid, working email address where the entrant can be notified. The winner need not be present to win but must claim the prize within three days of notification or another winner will be chosen. There is no cash value and no substitutions. The prize is distributed over 20 $50 rewards certificates and is valid only at the Hazlet Grocery Outlet.