Fall opening for new Redner's near Lewes

Shoppers awaiting the opening of the new Redner's Fresh Market in the Vineyards off Route 9 near Lewes will have to wait a few more months.

A fall grand opening is being planned, according to Eric White, director of Redner's marketing and communications in Reading, Pa.

Although the exterior construction is nearly complete, White said permitting, approvals from agencies and inspections are delaying the project.

The 49,000-square-foot grocery store, with a fueling station, is located at the corner of Route 9 and Nassau Commons Boulevard, on the eastern side of the mixed-use Vineyards community.

Original plans called for the store to open in 2021, but COVID-19 pandemic issues caused postponement of that date.

Contrary to posts on local social media outlets, the delay is not caused by issues with roadway improvements at the Vineyards’ Old Vine Boulevard-Route 9 intersection, which provides access to the grocery store and other commercial sites. A new traffic signal is expected to be constructed at the intersection within the next two months, said Charles “C.R.” McLeod, Delaware Department of Transportation’s director of community relations.

“The department is not aware of the grocery store’s planned opening timeline, and it is not being delayed or tied to the signal installation at the intersection,” he said.

In a previous story, Gary Redner, chief operations officer, said his company’s fresh market stores offer much more than Redner’s other locations.

In produce, he said, there are more prepared cut fruits and vegetables, and fresh guacamole and salsa, among other things like fresh-squeezed orange juice, grapefruit juice and lemonade.

There is a more extensive bakery department, and the meat department offers a full-service case with gourmet burgers, sausages and other proteins. The market will also have sushi and smoked wings, meat loaf and ribs.

“The whole atmosphere is a lot different than our other stores,” Redner said.

Redner’s Markets celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020. In addition to 44 grocery stores, the company also operates 21 quick shops throughout eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.

Redner's has grocery stores in Georgetown and Milford in Sussex County, and Dover in Kent County.