Fire devastates old A&P shopping center in Clinton
CLINTON TOWN – A spectacular fire Sunday night destroyed Walgreen's and Open Cupboard Food Pantry & Thrift Shop on Old Route 22.
The extent of the damage, if any, to other stores in the shopping center – Just Subs and JD's Wine and Spirits – is not yet known.
“I am thankful no one was hurt and grateful to our dedicated fire, police and EMS teams for their efforts,” Jennifer Tavormina, executive director of Open Cupboard Food Pantry & Thrift Shop, wrote on Facebook. "We will continue to serve. We will honor our mission of neighbors helping neighbors. Firstly, we will find a way to feed those in need. We will need help."
Tavormina expressed gratitude to the organization's supporters.
"Our supporters have been nothing less than miraculous," she continued. "To the staff and volunteers and the hundreds of friends, colleagues, businesses and more who have reached out, I am honored to work alongside you."
In the hours since the fire, Tavormina wrote she is still trying to process what happened.
"In situations that change everything in the matter of seconds, we must remain positive and focus on those in need. That is and will always be our top priority," she continued.
"Mostly we will need prayers," she wrote. "Our community is the best there is."
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A GoFundMe page to aid the nonprofit had already raised about $1,300 toward its $10,000 goal by 11:30 a.m. Monday.
The town police department has also announced it will be collecting ShopRite and Walmart gift cards which will be given to local families in need.
The fire broke out at about 8:40 p.m. Sunday. The fire was knocked down by midnight. One volunteer firefighter was reported injured.
Volunteer firefighters and tanker task forces from Hunterdon, Warren and Morris counties responded to the scene.
The 2.4-acre property on Old Route 22, which used to be the location of A&P, was sold in 2023 by FMCD Realty to Hiddenbrook Realty for $6.18 million.
The shopping center is across the street from the Clinton Fire Department and South Branch Emergency Services.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Clinton NJ fire devastates old A&P shopping center
