Marking the unofficial start of the summer shopping season, Westfield Garden State Plaza has announced the arrival of seven new retail and dining concepts. The additions are designed to expand the Bergen County shopping destination’s lifestyle, apparel, and culinary mix.
The lineup includes viral food trends made popular on social media networks like TikTok, premium performance shoe brands, and high-growth direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands making physical retail debuts in the region.
Four new concepts have already opened their doors to northern New Jersey consumers, concentrated primarily on Level 2 and within the mall’s Food Court District:
- HOKA: The rapidly expanding, premium performance running shoe brand has opened a brick-and-mortar storefront on Level 2 across from Macy’s. Known for its distinct maximalist, thick-midsole cushioning, the French Alps-founded brand has broken out from specialized athletic circles into mainstream fashion and professional everyday wear.
- VIVAIA: A globally recognized eco-friendly footwear brand making its debut on Level 2 near Macy’s. The storefront features a modern collection of flats, loafers, and boots woven from sustainable materials, including recycled plastic bottles.
- Kong Dog: Capitalizing on major digital traction, this fast-casual chain is now operational within the Food Court District. The concept serves handmade-to-order Korean-style corn dogs coated in options ranging from hot Cheetos crumbs and ramen crumbles to sweet churro batter.
- Sweet Kitchen: The highly rated Montclair-based bakery makes its official regional mall debut on Level 2 near Macy’s. The menu features an array of international desserts including baklava, tiramisu, and sticky toffee pudding, alongside dedicated vegan and gluten-free selections.
The retail property has finalized leases for three additional major openings scheduled to anchor the late summer traffic push through August 2026:
| Incoming Retailer | Category / Product Focus | Projected Launch | Store Environment Details |
| Blue Bottle Coffee | Specialty Coffee & Handcrafted Brews | August 2026 | Minimalist cafe focused on meticulously sourced single-origin beans and pastries. |
| ThirdLove | Women’s Intimates & Loungewear | August 2026 | First-to-market physical footprint for the digitally native bra and fit-tech apparel brand. |
| Darry Ring | Luxury Engagement & Fine Jewelry | Late August 2026 | High-end international boutique operating on a unique “one engagement ring per lifetime” purchase concept. |
“From dynamic eating experiences to globally recognized performance footwear, these additions reflect our ongoing commitment to curating a vibrant, trend-forward environment that resonates with our community,” Sue Newsom, vice president of Center Management at Westfield Garden State Plaza said.
