RIPCO Real Estate announced Thursday that Five Star Swim School has signed a 5,594-square-foot lease at Copper Tree Shopping Plaza, marking a significant addition to the 120,000-square-foot neighborhood hub. The regional leader in aquatic instruction is slated to open its newest facility in Spring 2026, bringing its total New Jersey footprint to 10 locations.
The move underscores a growing trend in commercial real estate: the “service-oriented” retail strategy. By attracting a destination-based tenant like a swim school, the shopping center ensures a steady stream of weekly foot traffic that benefits the entire ecosystem of surrounding retailers.
Located at 350 Ramapo Valley Road, Copper Tree Shopping Plaza sits at the intersection of Northern New Jersey’s primary transit arteries, including U.S. Route 202 and I-287. The center already boasts a high-traffic mix of national and regional brands, including:
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Retailers: Dollar Tree, Pet Supplies Plus, and Leslie’s Pools.
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Services: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Agency, Valley National Bank, and Sport Clips.
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Fitness & dining: Club Pilates, Bubbakoo’s Burritos, and Frank’s Pizza.
“Five Star Swim School is an ideal addition as it brings a strong, family-oriented use that aligns perfectly with our tenant mix,” Curtis Nassau, executive vice president at RIPCO Real Estate said. “We expect the school to drive consistent visitation from parents and children, increasing cross-shopping activity for our neighboring retailers.”
Five Star Swim School is widely recognized for its “Safety-First” curriculum and small student-to-teacher ratios. The new Oakland facility will likely feature the brand’s signature indoor saltwater pool, heated to a comfortable 90 degrees, allowing for year-round instruction regardless of New Jersey’s weather.
Programs typically offered include:
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Seahorse (6 mo. – 2.5 yrs.): Parent and child bonding with a focus on water comfort.
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Guppy (2.5 – 5 yrs.): Introducing independence and vital life-saving water safety skills.
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Dolphin & Shark (5 – 12 yrs.): Stroke development, streamlining, and endurance.
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Adult & Special Needs: Tailored 1:1 or small group instruction for all abilities.
The deal was led by RIPCO’s Curtis Nassau and Matt Grundy, who utilized their deep Bergen County market knowledge to facilitate the lease. RIPCO exclusively represented the landlord, leveraging the center’s visibility and the area’s high-income demographics to secure a long-term, high-quality tenant.
“Our strategy focused on the center’s excellent accessibility to attract service-driven tenants,” Grundy said. “Five Star’s proven operating model makes it a natural fit for this community.”
The Spring 2026 opening is expected to create new local jobs for certified lifeguards and swim instructors while providing Oakland families with a convenient new destination for essential life skills.
