Just a few years after undergoing massive renovations, the Trader Joe's grocery store in Westfield will be demolished, due to damages from a roof collapse during last month's blizzard.

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The Trader Joe's sign. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Westfield police told NJ Advance Media that the specialty grocery store will be torn down Friday. Beginning at about 8 a.m., a portion of Elm Street in downtown Westfield will be shut down so that crews can begin the work.

A massive winter storm that dumped two feet of snow in some parts of the state in late January caused the roof of the store to collapse under the weight of the snow. The store was closed when the incident occurred. Fire crews from Westfield and surrounding towns responded and closed off the surrounding area. In addition to the roof, cracks were seen in the exterior walls of the building.

More than 150 people were employed at the Westfield store. In a press release on Trader Joe's official website last month, the company said “crew members” from the 155 Elm Street location will have the option to work at other locations. There are 10 other Trader Joe’s stores across New Jersey — however, only the Westfield and Princeton locations carry alcohol.

In 2013, Trader Joe’s Westfield underwent a massive renovation that nearly doubled the size of the store, widening the aisles and expanding the shelves to include more specialty items, which also include a wine and liquor section.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.

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