Physical Therpy For Injuries and Pain in New Monmouth, NJ

EATONTOWN -- Kushner Cos. announced several new tenants for its property Monmouth Square, the name for the rebranded Monmouth Mall, which is currently under construction and undergoing major renovations to turn it into an open-air market with luxury apartments.

Kushner signed Prince Street Pizza, Cava, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Offshore Coffee and Strong Pilates to leases, to go along with Whole Foods Market, which has already been locked in. The new shops will be part of the new retail footprint, with an anticipated opening next year.

The new lease signings, totaling nearly 50,000 square feet, bring Monmouth Square’s 990,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space to 75% pre-leased, Kushner Cos. said.

“At Monmouth Square, we are assembling a tenant mix that responds to the changing preferences of today’s consumers while enhancing the quality and variety of offerings for the area,” Nicole Kushner Meyer, president of Kushner Cos. said in a prepared statement. “These leading retailers and restaurants reflect our commitment to attracting the best operators, ensuring a destination that surpasses expectations and has a lasting impact on the community.”

Kushner Cos. said they are "de-malling" the historic Monmouth Mall, once one of the nation’s largest indoor malls and a community staple for over 60 years. The redevelopment will reduce its retail footprint by 40% and turn the traditional mall concept inside out, creating a town center.

The design establishes a blend of free-standing, easily accessible spaces for shopping, dining, medical offices, an expansive public green, pedestrian pathways and 1,000 luxury apartments.

Since breaking ground last spring, significant demolition and construction progress has been made at Monmouth Square. Recent milestones include the November opening of Barnes & Noble in its new location within the center, complete with an updated B&N Café. The popular book seller's relocation allowed construction to begin on the Whole Foods Market site, which is at Barnes & Noble's former location at the mall.

The remaining retailers, including AMC, Macy’s, Boscov’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, LensCrafters and Senior Citizens Activities Network, or SCAN, continue to operate throughout the redevelopment.

“Monmouth Square’s transformation is advancing with purpose, bringing together best-in-class retail and dining options that align with our vision for a vibrant, mixed-use community,” Michael Sommer, Kushner Cos.' chief development officer, said in a prepared statement.

“The construction and leasing progress reflects both our team’s expertise and the strong partnerships we’ve built to execute a project of this scale and significance," Sommer continued. "We’re excited to see Monmouth Square take shape as a destination that sets a new standard for adaptive reuse and community development.”

Faced with diminishing foot traffic due to e-commerce, Kushner Cos. headed down the road to rebrand Monmouth Mall in 2015.

About the new tenants:

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; dradel@gannettnj.com.

Kushner has announced a wave of new retail and dining tenants for Monmouth Square, its $500+ million redevelopment of the historic Monmouth Mall. The latest additions—Whole Foods Market, Prince Street Pizza, Cava, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Offshore Coffee, and STRONG Pilates—are part of a broader effort to transform the site into a vibrant, mixed-use destination.

With these new leases, Monmouth Square’s 990,000-square feet of retail and restaurant space is now 75 percent pre-leased, underscoring strong demand for the reimagined space.

“At Monmouth Square, we are carefully curating a tenant mix that reflects today’s consumer preferences while elevating the retail and dining experience for the community,” said Nicole Kushner Meyer, president of Kushner. “We are committed to attracting top-tier brands that will enhance this project’s long-term impact on Eatontown and the surrounding region.”

The redevelopment marks a significant shift for the site, once home to one of the nation’s largest malls. Kushner is reducing the retail footprint by 40 percent, shifting away from the traditional enclosed mall concept in favor of an open-air, walkable town center. The new design will incorporate freestanding storefronts, pedestrian pathways, medical offices, green spaces, and 1,000 luxury apartments.

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Whole Foods Market – The 40,000-square-foot store will serve as an anchor tenant, offering organic and natural groceries to meet growing consumer demand for high-quality food options.

Prince Street Pizza – The famed New York pizzeria, known for its thick-cut Sicilian slices and spicy “SoHo Square” with signature pepperoni cups, will expand its footprint in New Jersey.

Cava – The popular Mediterranean fast-casual chain will introduce its signature customizable bowls and pitas, catering to health-conscious diners.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream – This Brooklyn-born brand is bringing its French-style, premium ice cream to Eatontown, featuring both classic and inventive flavors, including vegan options.

Offshore Coffee – A locally grown coffee brand, Offshore Coffee aims to provide a high-quality café experience, adding to Monmouth Square’s emphasis on specialty offerings.

STRONG Pilates – A rapidly growing fitness brand that merges Pilates with rowing-based cardio workouts will debut at the site, adding a high-intensity, low-impact fitness option for residents and visitors.

Jack Campbell, Founder of Offshore Coffee Co., called the expansion a milestone for the company. “We’re excited to bring Offshore Coffee to Monmouth Square and to be part of this transformative project. This community has been incredible, and we look forward to serving them for years to come.”

Monmouth Square has already reached several key milestones since breaking ground last spring. In November, Barnes & Noble opened its new location within the development, featuring an upgraded B&N Café. The move paved the way for Whole Foods Market’s construction, while demolition of outdated structures and infrastructure enhancements are well underway.

Throughout the transformation, existing retailers—including AMC, Macy’s, and Boscov’s—continue to operate, ensuring a steady flow of visitors to the evolving site.

As Monmouth Square takes shape, Kushner’s vision for a modern, mixed-use destination is coming into focus, promising to redefine the retail and lifestyle landscape of the Jersey Shore.

Retail offerings at the new Monmouth Square in Eatontown will include a 40,000-square-foot Whole Foods store, helping to anchor some 990,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. — Courtesy: Kushner

By Joshua Burd

Kushner has signed a flurry of retail leases to bring new food and beverage and fitness operators to Monmouth Square, its landmark redevelopment of the Monmouth Mall site in Eatontown.

The firm, which is transforming the property into a mixed-use, open-air destination as part of a $500 million project, said its tenant lineup now includes Prince Street Pizza, Cava, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Offshore Coffee and STRONG Pilates. They’ll operate at the Route 35 complex alongside a previously announced Whole Foods Market, Kushner said, noting that the new deals total nearly 50,000 square feet and bring Monmouth Square’s 990,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space to 75 percent preleased.

“At Monmouth Square, we are assembling a tenant mix that responds to the changing preferences of today’s consumers while enhancing the quality and variety of offerings for the area,” said Nicole Kushner Meyer, president of Kushner. “These leading retailers and restaurants reflect our commitment to attracting the best operators, ensuring a destination that surpasses expectations and has a lasting impact on the community.”

Kushner broke ground last spring on its long-awaited, ambitious plan to de-mall the aging local landmark, which it said was a community staple for more than 60 years. The redevelopment will reduce its retail footprint by 40 percent and turn the traditional mall concept inside out, creating a vibrant town center with a blend of freestanding, easily accessible spaces for shopping, dining and medical offices with an expansive public green, pedestrian pathways and 1,000 luxury apartments.

Whole Foods will anchor Monmouth Square with a 40,000-square-foot store, occupying a former Barnes & Noble space and offering its well-known selection of premium, organic products. The bookstore, meantime, has already opened in a new location within the center with an updated B&N Café.

Kushner on Tuesday detailed its other newly announced tenants, including:

“We are excited to partner with Kushner and to join the outstanding businesses coming to Monmouth Square,” said Jack Campbell, founder of Offshore Coffee Co. “We are committed to serving this incredible community and becoming an integral part of this transformative project. This opportunity is an important milestone for our company, and we look forward to contributing to the energy and success of Monmouth Square for years to come.”

Rico Macaraeg, CEO and cofounder of StriveWell Group, added: “We are thrilled of the partnership with Kushner to bring the STRONG Pilates brand to New Jersey and this exciting Monmouth Square project, the future epicenter of the Jersey Shore. We are excited to join the STRONG Pilates brand as part of their US expansion with over 70+ locations coming to the US in the near future on top of their 75+ international operating locations.”

Kushner also noted that substantial demolition of outdated spaces is well underway, as are extensive infrastructure improvements. The remaining retailers, including AMC, Macy’s and Boscov’s, continue to operate throughout the redevelopment.

“Monmouth Square’s transformation is advancing with purpose, bringing together best-in-class retail and dining options that align with our vision for a vibrant, mixed-use community,” said Michael Sommer, chief development officer at Kushner. “The construction and leasing progress reflects both our team’s expertise and the strong partnerships we’ve built to execute a project of this scale and significance. We’re excited to see Monmouth Square take shape as a destination that sets a new standard for adaptive reuse and community development.”

Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners leads architectural design for the project, working alongside Benoy and the Dietz Partnership, seeking to combine modern aesthetics with functional urban planning to meet the needs of today’s market, according to a news release. BOND RP is leading the retail leasing program.

“With the commitment and vision of Kushner Companies, the reimagined Monmouth Square will bring together a thoughtful mix of national retailers and restaurants coupled with best-in-class local partners,” sad Jess Bruner, founder of BOND RP. “We are excited to partner alongside Kushner with a goal of creating the community’s central cornerstone for shopping, dining and living for generations to come.”

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for two counties in Central New Jersey as a line of intense thunderstorms began to sweep across parts of the state Monday night, with forecasters urging residents in the affected areas to seek immediate shelter inside a sturdy building.

A tornado warning was issued at about 9:25 p.m. Monday, effective until 10 p.m., for northeastern Monmouth County and southeastern Middlesex County.

UPDATE: The tornado warning has expired as of 9:45 p.m., and there were no confirmed reports of any funnel clouds touching down on the ground tonight in Middlesex or Monmouth counties, the National Weather Service told NJ Advance Media. There also have been no reports of significant storm-related damage as of 9:55 p.m.

Strong thunderstorms, fueled by a cold front clashing with warm temperatures, have been moving across several areas of eastern Pennsylvania during the past three hours, and forecasters said some of those cells could generate funnel clouds because of instability and wind shear in the atmosphere.

Tornado warnings are typically issued when meteorologists detect cloud rotation on weather radar screens or if someone from the public reports a sighting of a funnel cloud spinning in the sky.

If your local area is under a tornado warning, take shelter inside a sturdy structure. The weather service says a tornado warning means there’s a possibility of “imminent danger to life and property.”

The weather service says people should head for the basement or lower level of a house or building. If there is no basement, stay in an interior room or closet. If you’re driving, park your car and seek shelter.

Forecasters say people in tornado-warned areas should stay away from windows, because debris can be blown through the glass.

Current weather radar

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Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.

ALSO: Tornado warning issued in 2 counties as strong thunderstorms slam state

Strong thunderstorms have started to pop up in parts of New Jersey Monday night, prompting the National Weather Service to issue severe thunderstorm warnings in nine counties in the central and southern regions of the state.

Thunderstorm warnings were issued shortly before 8:40 p.m. for parts of Burlington, Camden, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties, effective until 9:30 p.m. Monday.

At about 8:55 p.m., thunderstorm warnings were issued for parts of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties in South Jersey, effective until 9:45 p.m.

The weather service said the thunderstorms that are moving through these areas of the state could pack wind gusts as strong as 60 mph along with heavy downpours and penny-size hail.

Additional warnings may be issued as new storm cells sweep into New Jersey or strengthen as a strong cold front moves through our region and clashes with warm, humid air.

Forecasters said they can’t rule out the possibility of an isolated tornado tonight because of high levels of wind shear in the atmosphere.

Some strong thunderstorms began to develop in parts of eastern Pennsylvania at about 5:30 p.m., and the weather service issued a tornado warning in the Reading area of Berks County at about 6:10 p.m.

The warning expired at 6:45 p.m., and it was not immediately known if any tornadoes touched down on the ground.

The weather service said heavy showers and thunderstorms moved across Hunterdon County at about 7:20 p.m., and that particular line of storms was producing rainfall rates of about an inch per hour.

Rain that heavy “could lead to minor flooding, primarily in poor drainage and urban areas,” the weather service said in a special weather statement.

Latest N.J. storm alerts

These are among the latest storm alerts issued in New Jersey Monday night:

Current weather radar

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.