An iconic dairy store whose mascot is a cow will replace a 45-year-old Sears department store in Paramus–Stew Leonard’s, the dairy darling of Connecticut and New York, is opening a grocery store and wine and spirits store in the Paramus Park Mall. The shops will create 350 new jobs and a multitude of opportunities for shoppers looking to indulge in fine dairy products, meats and fish, bakery items, and produce–not to mention 1,600 wines, 800 spirits, and 500 varieties of beer.
The company broke ground at the construction site on March 29 in a ceremony featuring live cows and fresh milk toasts, with officials riding in on tractors. United States Senator Bob Menendez, Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, and Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera joined CEO Stew Leonard, Jr. for the groundbreaking ceremony.
Called “The Disneyland of dairy stores,” Stew Leonard’s is famous for giving shoppers a unique experience. The Paramus location will feature animatronic animals and characters performing, dozens of chefs, butchers, fishmongers, and more preparing gourmet food on the daily, an in-store, “from-scratch” bakery, the company’s signature one-way aisle, and state-of-the-art technology. It is a family-owned operation.
Stew Leonard’s is a $400-million-per-year company that serves 11 million customers annually. Produce, dairy, and meat selections will come from local New Jersey and tri-state area farmers and food producers, creating a fresh experience for shoppers that will also benefit the local economy. This Paramus location will be the largest dairy store in Jersey.
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Main Image: From left to right: Stew Leonard's mascot, Clover the Cow; Jake Tavello; Stew Leonard Jr; Kim Leonard; Brittney Tavello. Credit Brian Finnegan
