Bank renovates old A&P

Published Aug 9, 2012 at 2:29 pm (Updated Aug 9, 2012)

OAK RIDGE � Lakeland Bank has relocated its operations and training departments to a site in Jefferson that had formerly been an A&P store.
�The opportunity to relocate our staff to a facility near our headquarters was a win for our colleagues and the Bank as well as the Jefferson community,� said Thomas J. Shara, president and CEO of Lakeland Bank.
�The Bank�s executive team was pleased the relocation would have minimal impact on our colleagues while helping to improve the appearance and business activity in this commercial zone.
Lakeland Bank colleagues and the board of directors joined Jefferson Mayor Russell Felter, local dignitaries and landlord John Azarian at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 8. Once the teal ribbon was cut, Shara invited guests to tour the new office space and enjoy light refreshments with the bank staff.

Renovating and moving in

Lakeland Bank purchased rights under the A&P lease to occupy the space at 5716 Berkshire Valley Road, which had been vacant since the A&P moved about 10 years ago. The bank finished extensive renovations to 27,000 square feet of the facility in June, and completed the relocation of staff to the new center in July. The bank is currently seeking a sub-tenant for the remaining 7,500 square feet.
The renovation of the former supermarket space into an office environment included the installation of environmentally friendly day lighting. The use of day lighting will direct natural lighting to the center of the building which, the bankers say, "is good for our colleagues. Studies show that natural light makes workers feel and work better, prevents eye strain and boosts productivity. Plus it�s good for the environment. The U.S. Department of Energy�s Federal Energy Management Program reports that day lighting can significantly cut lighting energy use for lighting building interiors, sometimes by up to 75 percent or 80 percent."
Lakeland Bancorp, the holding company for Lakeland Bank, has an asset base of approximately $2.9 billion and 47 offices spanning six northern New Jersey counties: Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren.
For information visit lakelandbank.com.