From a Dunkin’ Donuts and vegeterian restaurant to an upscale pet store
By: Courtney Gross
As the Princeton Shopping Center prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, it is also welcoming several new tenants.
A vegetarian restaurant, a gourmet pet supply store, a designer children’s apparel and shoe store as well as a national chain ice cream and coffee shop have joined the ranks of the shopping center which integrates both locally owned businesses and national chains.
By December, residents frequenting the North Harrison Street shopping center will be able to grab a coffee or chocolate ice cream cone from a Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins combination restaurant.
If looking for a more unconventional meal, shoppers will be able to visit Zen Palate an all-vegetarian restaurant with several current locations in New York City.
The shopping center’s general manager, Chris Hanington, said the new additions will give visitors even more options.
"Folks who have dined at Zen Palate in New York City have expressed such excitement to me," Ms. Hanington said. "The shopping center is very much looking forward to the addition of this incredible, unique dining experience," she added.
Chad Carpenter, communications director for Zen Palate, said the restaurant is currently expanding nationwide, opening two stores in December in the tri-state area as well as a restaurant in California next year.
Zen Palate chose to open in the Princeton area for its demographics: an educated, affluent and young population, he said.
"If you look at the growing trend of vegetarians and people interested in health, it’s definitely a younger, more educated market," Mr. Carpenter said. "Internationally, vegetarians are about 5 percent. In universities, it is much higher."
The restaurant, which offers fine dining and takeout service, will concentrate on quick service. Entrees, Mr. Carpenter said, range from $8.50 to $10.
The restaurant will be located in the former Sunflower House location and will be next to the new Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin-Robbins come December.
But, for now, it’s residents’ pets that can partake in fresh delicacies at the shopping center.
Cutter’s Mill, which opened last week, specializes in natural and organic foods for dogs, cats and other furry friends.
The store, located in Petco’s former space, also offers for the more sophisticated feline or pooch palate a bakery loaded with birthday cakes, eclairs and croissants, the store’s manager, Mark Hunsbedt, said.
Mr. Hunsbedt noted Cutter’s Mill, with locations in Cherry Hill and Pennsylvania, carries healthier pet products at low prices. And animals are always welcome, he added.
"We have grocer brands, mid-range brands, and we have brands that are very healthy for your dogs," Mr. Hunsbedt said. "We have some of the more uncommon foods that people can’t find anywhere," he added.
Another new tenant, the children’s boutique Incredible Me, held its grand opening Saturday with TV personality Joan Lunden in attendance.
Where fish tanks and colorful walls could tempt children, Incredible Me offers designer footwear, apparel and accessories for adolescents.

