Kushner recently announced a major dining addition to its transformative $500+ million Monmouth Square redevelopment in Eatontown — Felice, the celebrated Tuscan-inspired Italian restaurant and wine bar from SA Hospitality Group.
Felice signed a lease for a 4,500-square-foot location within Monmouth Square’s central town square, marking the brand’s first-ever New Jersey outpost and its debut flagship outside New York City and Florida. The addition reinforces Kushner’s strategy to transform the former Monmouth Mall into a premier regional destination featuring an elevated mix of retail and dining.
Known for its rustic Tuscan cuisine, extensive Italian wine list, and warm, approachable atmosphere, Felice is seen as a key component in establishing the project’s vibrant lifestyle offerings.
“We’re very intentional about where we grow, and Eatontown stood out as the perfect neighborhood to bring our restaurant,” Jacopo Giustiniani, partner, SA Hospitality Group said. “It has the right energy, community, and character and feels like a natural fit.”
Curating a premier dining destination
For Kushner, the commitment from a brand with deep New York roots like Felice validates the caliber of the Monmouth Square project.
“Felice is exactly the type of operator we are proud to welcome to Monmouth Square,” said Nicole Kushner Meyer, president of Kushner said. “Their decision to open their first New Jersey outpost here reflects the caliber of this project and the unique opportunity Monmouth Square presents to create a dining and lifestyle destination that rivals the best in the region.”
Felice joins a growing roster of desirable tenants, including anchor Whole Foods Market, along with Cava, Prince Street Pizza, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Offshore Coffee, Arhaus, and STRONG Pilates. To date, 82% of the project’s 990,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space has been pre-leased.
Construction progress continues
Construction continues rapidly at Monmouth Square, as Kushner executes its vision of blending retail, dining, residential, and community spaces. Key milestones include:
- Substantial Demolition of the historic mall is complete.
- Infrastructure work is underway.
- Retail shells for anchor tenants like Whole Foods Market, Cava, and Prince Street Pizza are nearing completion.
- Vertical construction for the project’s 1,000 new residences has commenced, with leasing expected to launch in late 2026.
Michael Sommer, chief development officer at Kushner, noted that the initiative is a “thoughtful best-use approach for the site,” poised to become a “true centerpiece for Eatontown and the surrounding area.”
When complete, Monmouth Square will feature pedestrian pathways, substantial green space, and a dynamic mix of amenities, highlighted by a central public green and a 40,000-square-foot resident clubhouse.
