HILLSDALE, NJ — Kings Food Market, an upscale supermarket chain serving customers throughout New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, debuted its latest newly renovated location, here, on Feb. 6 with the help of Kings’ President and CEO Judy Spires, COO Richard Durante, Store Manager Gerry Staub, and Hillsdale Mayor Max Arnowitz.

“We are here to celebrate the grand reopening of this Hillsdale store,” Spires proudly announced to attendees of the celebration, which included store employees, community members and eager customers alike. “Today starts a brand new era.”Paul Kneeland, vice president of produce, meat, seafood and floral for Kings Food Markets, Judy Spires, president and chief executive officer, and Hillsdale Store Manager Gerry Staub.

The celebration kicked off on a high note, as Kings employee Charles McCleese Jr. belted out the National Anthem, which was followed by a round of applause and a few words from other prominent team members and attendees.

“Through it all, we persevered,” remarked Mayor Arnowitz, noting there were some difficulties along the way, mainly due to weather conditions. “Kings’ products are the freshest, and the personnel can’t be beat.”

A monetary donation to the Helping Hand Food Pantry in Hillsdale, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing food to those in need throughout the community, was also presented at the event. In addition to the donation, Kings’ will be hosting a one-week food drive for the pantry as part of the company’s “Act Against Hunger” initiative.

“We love Kings, and we love all the customers that come here,” shared Lois Kohen, a representative of Helping Hand Food Pantry.

A contribution of $500 was also presented to the local fire department as a token of Kings’ appreciation for keeping the community safe.

And of course, no Kings’ grand reopening would be complete without its signature pasta-ribbon cutting by store employees, followed by the slicing of some celebratory cake.

From start to finish, the remodeling of Kings’ Hillsdale location took about eight weeks, noted Staub, who added he couldn’t be more excited and proud of his store and team.

The newly remodeled store features an updated floral section displaying both rare varieties and treasured classics; an in-store café, complete with a lounge area, ready-to-eat dishes, Wi-Fi and TV; an expanded artisanal cheese section, which offers more than 200 gourmet cheeses, as well as expanded mezze and olive bars and an updated salad bar; an enhanced sushi section, with the freshest seafood around; and even two full-time in-house chefs on hand to prepare customers favorite dishes and meals.

Last but certainly not least, the new Kings’ store features a beautiful and bountiful display of the freshest produce available, ready and awaiting customers as they enter the building.

“When you walk in you can’t miss this produce department -- it’s unbelievable,” exclaimed Durante, noting that Kings’ offers more organic items than any other store in the community.

The newly renovated Hillsdale store is part of Kings’ company-wide rebranding initiative, which aims to please its customers’ ever-changing demands and needs. Next on the makeover list will be the chain’s Whitehouse Station, NJ, location.