Lidl Signed Lease for New Toms River Store
The grocery chain will occupy a space in the Toms River Center that has remained vacant for over a decade.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Lidl has signed a lease to open a new location in the Toms River Center shopping plaza. The store will occupy an existing 19,000-square-foot building near the intersection of Route 37 and Route 166.
Why it matters
The move marks the end of an 11-year vacancy at the site, which previously housed a long-standing Foodtown supermarket. This expansion will mark the third Lidl location in Ocean County once construction and local approvals are finalized.
The new store will occupy 19,000 square feet of retail space. This site sat empty for more than 11 years after the previous tenant closed.
The players
Lidl
Lidl is a German global discount supermarket chain that operates thousands of stores across Europe and the United States.
The details
Lidl is set to take over the location that formerly operated as a Foodtown supermarket for 30 years. The site is located in the Toms River Center shopping plaza at the intersection of Route 37 and Route 166.
Timeline
The former Foodtown supermarket closed at the location in 2015.
Lidl signed the lease agreement for the new site in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This project reflects the industry trend of backfilling vacant commercial footprints to expand retail presence in established markets. Lidl is leveraging this strategy to increase its regional density in Ocean County.
Local shoppers in Toms River can expect a new grocery option once the project receives final municipal approvals. The redevelopment of the vacant plaza space aims to restore retail activity to a high-traffic area near Route 37.
The takeaway
The arrival of Lidl signals a long-awaited revitalization for a prominent retail site in the city. Residents should monitor local town council meetings for updates regarding project timelines and eventual grand opening details.
Further reading
For more updates on local retail developments, visit the Toms River Openings & Closings.
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Do you believe the arrival of new discount grocery stores helps your local community?
