A special meeting was held last week to introduce an ordinance authorizing a redevelopment plan for John Galt Way in the Haines Center to make way for Destination Maternity, which plans to relocate its distrib
by Amy Batista, Special Writer
FLORENCE — A special meeting was held last week to introduce an ordinance authorizing a redevelopment plan for John Galt Way in the Haines Center to make way for Destination Maternity, which plans to relocate its distribution center to Florence.
”The Redevelopment Plan went before the Planning Board on Nov. 18 and they provided a favorable recommendation to the governing body,” said Township Administrator Richard Brook in an email on Monday.
Council approved the introduction of the ordinance on Nov. 25 during a special meeting. A second reading will be held on Dec. 11.
”Florence Township is pleased to welcome Destination Maternity to our community,” said Mayor Craig Wilkie in an email on Monday. “We quickly developed a strong working relationship with Destination Maternity and Whitesell on this project.”
Destination Maternity Corp., a maternity apparel retailer, announced its plans to relocate its corporate headquarters and distribution center from Philadelphia to southern New Jersey in September, as was previously reported in The Register News.
”When completed, Destination Maternity anticipates that they will employ between 250 and 280 full time people in Florence Township,” Mr. Brook said. “Further, their new building will be approximately 406,000 square feet with the capacity to expand an additional 93,600 square feet in the future.”
Whitesell Construction Co., Inc. plans to break ground in late winter or early spring, according to officials.
Destination Maternity will be signing a long-term lease with Whitesell for the building.
The new distribution, warehouse and logistics building will be located in the Haines Center along the Route 130 Corridor at the 37-acre site.
”In order to meet the expedited timeline that is desired by Destination Maternity, the Township Council agreed to make sure that the redevelopment plan for the property was approved before the end of this year,” Mr. Brook said.
Destination Maternity is a company that does business globally and has consistently grown over the years. Destination Maternity operates 1,893 retail locations, including 606 stores, predominantly under the tradenames Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod and Destination Maternity.
It also has and 1,287 leased department locations, and sells on the web through its DestinationMaternity.com and other brand-specific websites. Destination Maternity also distributes its collection through a licensed arrangement at Kohl’s stores throughout the United States and on Kohls.com.
”Destination Maternity was ‘courted’ by the state of New Jersey and Florence Township,” Mr. Brook said. “The Lieutenant Governor’s office and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority were intimately involved in meeting with representatives for Destination Maternity and encouraging them to move to New Jersey.”
The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the state’s administrative staff were an integral reason why Destination Maternity considered relocating to New Jersey, he said.
”The programs put in place by the Governor and the legislature to help spur economic development are a testament to what can be accomplished when we all work together on behalf of the residents of New Jersey,” Mr. Brook said.
Mayor Wilkie “commended the efforts” of the Township Council, the Planning Board and professional staff
”I appreciate the extraordinary working relationship we have forged to improve economic development opportunities in the community,” Mayor Wilkie said.