file photo
Former Kmart and Stop & Shop Site on Route 17 South Targeted for Redevelopment
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
PARAMUS, NJ – Big changes may be on the horizon for Route 17 South as the Paramus Planning Board prepares to review a highly anticipated application from Costco Wholesale on Wednesday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m.
The public hearing will take place at:
📍 Council Chambers, Borough Hall
1 Jockish Square, Paramus, NJ
🏗️ Project Overview
Costco is seeking approval to redevelop 857, 859, and 861 Route 17 South, a long-vacant commercial property previously home to:
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Kmart (closed in 2014)
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Stop & Shop (closed in 2022)
The site has remained dormant, prompting renewed interest from local officials, developers, and residents looking to revitalize this key retail corridor.
📝 Application Details
The application—filed by Costco Wholesale Corporation and represented by Jennifer Mazawey, Esq. of K&L Gates LLP, Newark—was first presented to the board on October 3, 2024. It includes:
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A preliminary and final major site plan
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A major soil movement permit variance
These approvals are necessary for Costco to proceed with plans to transform the shuttered retail spaces into a modern, fully operational Costco warehouse and shopping center.
🏙️ Why It Matters
Paramus remains one of New Jersey’s most prominent retail hubs, and Route 17 is a key commercial artery. The proposed Costco would:
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Revitalize an underutilized site
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Boost local tax revenue
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Create construction and retail jobs
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Provide added convenience for area residents
With Costco’s reputation for drawing high consumer traffic, the development could spark additional investment in surrounding properties and infrastructure.
📢 Public Participation Encouraged
Local residents and business owners are encouraged to attend the August 7 Planning Board meeting to learn more, voice opinions, or ask questions about the proposed development.
Public input can influence the board’s final decision—especially in areas concerning traffic, environmental impact, and neighborhood compatibility.
Stay tuned for updates on Costco Paramus’s approval status, development timeline, and future opening announcements. For ongoing coverage of retail redevelopment, planning board meetings, and Route 17 construction news, follow us and subscribe for our Paramus updates. our eBlast will keep you well-informed . http://eepurl.com/bgt6T #RidgewoodBlog #News #LocalNews #StateNews #NationalNews #Subscribe #StayInformed #Community
Oh yeah, don’t forget the additional traffic congestion. So looking forward to it.
Perfect location
“With Costco’s reputation for drawing high consumer traffic, the development could spark additional investment in surrounding properties and infrastructure.” – to laugh or to cry? Please elaborate on what kind of investments we may see that can transform a once beautiful suburb. Turn it into Nanuet? Teterboro? Wayne?
It’s the empty shop rite or Kmart building nothing beautiful about route 17
Will look better than decaying buildings and parking lot with weeds all over. That strip of 17 from Linwood to Ridgewood Ave has very little retail compared to when there was Grand Union, a party store, bank, KMart, record store, and Rickles/Barnes and Noble.
Just a replacement to what were once thriving stores. Will be a vast improvement over the vacant eyesore.
Traffic/congestion NIGHTMARE.
Those against the proposal to build a Costco at the old Stop and Shop location should make their concerns known at the Paramus planning board meeting to be held this Thursday (8/7/25) at 7:00 pm at borough hall.
8/7/25 Paramus planning board meeting has been changed to 9/18/25 at 7pm.