Middletown Trader Joe's Will Open At Middletown Plaza On Rt. 35

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The worst-kept secret in Middletown is now out: A Trader Joe's is officially opening in Middletown.

A Trader Joe's will open at the space previously occupied by Walgreens pharmacy at Middletown Plaza on Rt. 35 at Harmony Road.

An opening date is unknown, but "probably later this year," said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry on Tuesday. "They've been working on that space for a while. Obviously, Middletown is very excited to have a Trader Joe's come in and prevent some of the 'white elephant' vacancies in our strip malls. The Township created zoning rules that allow businesses to open in existing empty spaces rather than construct new retail spaces. We're happy to see retailers take advantage of Middletown's business-friendly environment."

Walgreen's moved out in the past year and that space has been vacant for about the past nine months.

A contractor for Trader Joe’s filed the zoning permit application this past Friday, according to a Middletown Twp. spokeswoman.

Up until today, Middletown Township officials would only say an unnamed "specialty grocer" would be opening in that space. But many people in town had heard rumors it would be a Trader Joe's.

Prior: Unnamed Specialty Grocer Coming To Former Middletown Walgreens (May 2023)