Stanbery Development founding partner Mark Pottschmidt points to the various retail stores located at the Shoppes of North Brunswick, a new lifestyle center at the intersection of Routes 1 and 130, which is set to open this month. NORTH BRUNSWICK – What was once the home of the Boy Scouts and General Automotive will now be the home of shoppers and restaurateurs, as the developer of the Shoppes at North Brunswick held a hardhat tour of the lifestyle center Sept. 25.
The open-air shopping center, located on 15.58 acres at the intersections of Routes 1 and 130, has 154,000 total square feet, with 129,000 dedicated to retail space, 25,000 for office areas and 740 parking spaces.
Thus far, the site is 75 percent leased, with stores such as Aerosoles, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Bandolino, Chico’s, AT&T Wireless, Clarks, Coldwater Creek, Gymboree, Jos. A. Bank, Limited Too, New York & Company, Sunglass Hut, Talbots, White House/Black Market and Yankee Candle nearing completion. There is also the Italian restaurant Bensi, the Mexican restaurant Chipotle, Jamba Juice and a drive-through Starbucks.
“We waited an awful long time to find the right project to come in here, and we are very glad to have it here in North Brunswick,” Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack said.
There are also three pedestrian walkways connecting the two sides of the center, multiple benches planned to be installed, shrubbery and other landscaping, fancy paving, outdoor seating areas for the restaurants, and a central meeting place with a fountain, landscape and additional seating.
“This is where we hope everyone in North Brunswick wants to congregate,” said Mark Pottschmidt, one of the founding partners of Stanbery Development.
Pottschmidt said that most of the clients follow Stanbery to their various locations, so he expects the empty spaces to be filled relatively quickly.
“I imagine once we open … and have some success, the remaining 25 percent will be leased,” he said.
He is also looking for any companies interested in leasing office space.
“I think this is going to be a great space to come down, get a cup of coffee and do some shopping,” he said.
In March 2006, the North Brunswick Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 5-2 to approve the application, amidst serious concerns about traffic and an overabundance of local retail shops. After hearing the testimony of various experts and the opinions of several residents, the board moved forth with the granting of a bulk variance due to an undersized lot, a parking variance to decrease the number of required parking spaces, a variance to allow front-yard parking, variances to alter the signage configuration, and a limit to the hours of operation.
The official grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 27 with a ribbon cutting, store specials, a contest for a $500 gift certificate to the center, an array of entertainment, and complimentary commemorative tote bags to the first 500 customers. On Oct. 26, a gala event will be held, with sales of the gala tickets and auction items going toward a local charity.
The stores at the Shoppes at North Brunswick will maintain the general hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Individual store hours will vary.
For updated information, visit www.TheShoppesAtNorthBrunswick.com.