Edison's Indian Community Gains a Major Grocery Store as Diwali Celebrations Return
Edison's South Asian community this week celebrated two milestones: the grand opening of a major new Indian grocery store in the heart of the city, and the return of the BAPS Campus Fellowship's annual Diwali celebration at Rutgers University.
Go-Pal Indian Supermarket Set to Fill Stop & Shop Void in Edison
Edison's Desi community received welcome news when it was confirmed that Go-Pal Supermarket would take over the sprawling 113,000-square-foot Inman Grove Shopping Center space vacated by Stop & Shop in October 2024. The closure had left a significant gap in a township where Indian-origin residents make up a substantial share of the population. Levin Management, which purchased the Inman Grove center for approximately $24 million in June 2025, confirmed that Go-Pal — described as an 'Indian grocer' — would offer locally sourced fresh produce, an in-house bakery, a full-service meat and seafood counter, a wide range of Indian grocery staples, and curbside pickup. Hiring for the new store was underway as of late September, with community members expressing enthusiasm about having a large, well-stocked Indian supermarket within easy reach on Inman Avenue. [1]
Go-Pal Grand Opening Draws Edison Shoppers on October 9
The formal grand opening of Go-Pal Supermarket took place on Friday, October 9, at 1125 Inman Avenue — the same address that Stop & Shop occupied for many years before its closure. The new store announced it would operate daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, giving the community access during early morning and late evening hours that suit the schedules of working families. Indian groceries available at Go-Pal's launch included a broad selection of lentils, spices, flours, pickles, and specialty items. The opening drew considerable interest from longtime Edison residents who had relied on Stop & Shop for general household needs and were eager to see whether the new Indian-focused store would also carry a wide enough assortment to serve as a primary grocery destination. Early reports from opening-day shoppers were broadly positive. [5]
BAPS Campus Fellowship Brings Diwali to Rutgers University
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha's Edison chapter, which now counts more than 600 members including pre-school educators and university students, organized its annual Campus Fellowship Diwali celebration at Rutgers University, continuing a tradition that connects young South Asian students with their cultural and spiritual roots during the festival season. The Edison BAPS centre, which runs entirely on the dedication of volunteers who donate time outside their regular professional and educational commitments, has grown steadily to become one of the more active Swaminarayan communities in New Jersey. The Rutgers celebration featured lighting, prayers, and community programming designed to introduce the significance of Diwali to both long-standing devotees and those exploring Hindu traditions for the first time. The event reflected the broader vitality of Edison's South Asian cultural calendar as the Diwali season approached. [7]
Sources: [1] TAPinto · [5] TAPinto · [7] BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha