GILLETTE, NJ — Even before its signature pasta-ribbon-cutting ceremony, the March 22 grand opening of the newest Kings store was a huge success. Hundreds of eager customers passed through the entrance to find themselves inside the MarketSquare.

"We created an amphitheater of produce," said Paul Kneeland, vice president of produce and floral for the Parsippany, NJ-based chain.

As a part of its Kings Gillette grand opening, Kings donated $7,500 to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Shown at the March 22 grand opening of the new Gillette, NJ, location are Donna Lewis, Kings Gillette general store manager, Judy Spires, president and chief executive officer of Kings, and Tim Vogel, director of food sourcing at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. (Photo by Ryan G. Beckman)The MarketSquare is set up like an open-air market and features a fresh-cut produce bar, various prepared meal options and displays of "the freshest and best produce you've ever seen," said Doug Groendyke, produce manager of the new Kings store in Gillette.

The store offers a large variety of fresh, high-quality organic produce, which will get even fresher this summer when the company's Local Fresh 24/7 program officially kicks off, bringing local produce to stores within 24 hours of being harvested.

"Our entire team has worked hard over the last year to ensure that inspiration strikes our customers in every aisle, in every department - just as our tagline suggests," said Judy Spires, president and chief executive officer. "Our Gillette location brings this brand promise to life in such a multi-sensory way for our shoppers; it truly is an opportunity for our customers to see, hear, smell, touch and taste a full culinary experience."

As part of the grand opening celebration, Kings donated $7,500 to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey through its "Act Against Hunger" initiative, which strives to end hunger in communities served by Kings stores.

Tim Vogel, director of food sourcing at the food bank, thanked Ms. Spires and Kings for their continued support and outreach to all the communities near Kings locations that are affected by hunger.

The Gillette location is the 25th Kings store to open in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. And while it is the first entirely new store to open in 12 years, there are plans for five more in the pipeline.

In 2012, there was a company-wide rebranding initiative, accompanied by renovations and reopenings at the company's Livingston and Bedminster, NJ, locations.

Long Hill Township Deputy Mayor Cornel Schuler said the opening is encouraging news and a boon to the local economy.

To extend the celebration, Kings Gillette spread activities throughout the weekend, featuring more than 20 signature tastings; a cooking demonstration from Chef Franco Lania; consultations, shopping cart makeovers and guided store tours from Nutritionist Shari Bilt Boockvar; a meet-and-greet with New Jersey Monthly magazine's Rosie Saferstein; and giveaways.

As an extension of the opening, Kings Gillette will also hold a food drive April 1-30 to benefit Stirling's St. Vincent de Paul Church, which is collecting food to end hunger in the community.

"As not only an associate of Kings but also as a community member who truly loves great food and loves sharing my passion with customers, I am so proud to be opening this location and serving both our shoppers and the greater community," said Donna Lewis, Kings Gillette general store manager. "Kings is a family, and I look forward to continuing to grow that family in Gillette."