In a major boost to the local economy, co-developers Triangle Equities and Incline Capital have announced the signing of nearly 75,000 square feet of retail leases at The Crossings at Brick Church Station. The news marks a turning point for East Orange, a city that a recent analysis found was losing over $1.4 billion annually in consumer spending to neighboring regions due to a lack of local options.
The leasing momentum was spearheaded by Jake Frantzman, vice president of RIPCO Real Estate, who served as the commercial leasing partner for the transformative mixed-use project.
The retail lineup
The surge in activity is led by national powerhouse Burlington, which has committed to a massive 48,900-square-foot flagship space. Joining the anchor are several other high-profile brands:
- Five Below: 9,600 square feet
- Rainbow: 6,400 square feet
- Verizon: 1,424 square feet
Beyond traditional retail, the development is addressing community needs for essential services. Newark Community Health Center will occupy 4,500 square feet, and Angel Nails has taken 3,400 square feet. These new tenants join existing favorites like Dunkin’ Donuts and Rita’s Italian Ice.
A cornerstone of the project remains the brand-new ShopRite. The grocer, which has served the site for years, will move into a significantly upgraded 10,000-square-foot larger space this summer, offering expanded fresh produce and healthy food access.
The development is more than just a shopping center; it is a “placemaking” engine. Josh Weingarten, executive vice president at Triangle Equities, noted that the goal was to create a “true neighborhood center” that gives residents a reason to invest in their own community.
The project at a glance:
- Developers: Triangle Equities and Incline Capital.
- Commercial Leasing Broker: Jake Frantzman, Vice President, RIPCO Real Estate.
- Total Project Scale: Approximately 1,000 residences and over 200,000 square feet of retail.
- Strategic Location: Directly adjacent to NJ Transit’s Brick Church Station, offering a 25-minute commute to Midtown Manhattan.
- Accolades: Recipient of the Transit-Oriented Development Award from the Urban Land Institute and the Outstanding Project Award from the American Planning Association.
- Residential Management: Bozzuto Management and Moderate Income Management Company.
To ensure the economic benefits reach residents directly, the developers have partnered with Mayor Ted Green to launch the East Orange Career Accelerator (EOCA). This program provides soft skill training, resume reviews, and interview prep to help local talent secure positions with the new retailers.
“We are proud to partner with Triangle Equities to ensure our workforce is properly trained to compete in the modern job market,” Mayor Green said.
While the project is nearing capacity, RIPCO indicates that prime retail space is still available. Two endcap spaces, measuring 1,650 and 4,000 square feet, are currently being marketed specifically for restaurant and food service users to meet the city’s high demand for diverse dining options.
