TOMS RIVER – Driving past the Ocean County Mall on Hooper Avenue, you’ve seen the ongoing construction. Now, more details are starting to take shape.
The Sears that used to be the anchor on that side was demolished after the company closed its doors. In its place, mall management announced that a new entrance with different storefronts would be built.
The following businesses have announced that they will find a home here: LA Fitness, Ulta Beauty and Homesense.
Simon, the mall’s owner, announced that it will unveil the new entrance and plaza with restaurants and retailers, linking to a new lifestyle center on the northern side of the building. It will consist of a tall, illuminated glass entrance with landscaping and lighting to give it a walkable, comfortable environment. Some of the restaurants will have outdoor patios for dining al fresco.
“We are incredibly excited to bring new additions and enhancements to the property, that will allow us to provide an even greater shopping and dining experience to our loyal shoppers,” said Tara Melodick, General Manager at Ocean County Mall.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, the pad restaurant, has already opened and seats more than 200.
Details were shared on the construction as well. According to Simon, the work has been done with the environment in mind. The center will have native plants and new trees, and green spaces and less impervious surfaces to make sure stormwater goes into the ground. Lighting will be modern and energy efficient, and even the construction company is recycling demolition waste when able.
Further updates will be provided on the Ocean County Mall’s social media channels.
The project is expected to be complete by 2020.
