Trader Joe's, Gravity Vault Coming, Tre, Rosalita's Open In Brick

BRICK, NJ — For those waiting eagerly for Trader Joe's to open at Brick Plaza, the good news is the work is moving forward. The bad news is there's no firm opening date.

Work on the grocery store, which is going into the space once belonging to Ethan Allen, and Gravity Vault, which is filling the space once occupied by the Mansion, was moving along during a recent stop at Brick Plaza. The entire work area is cordoned off from traffic but work on the interior of both spaces was visible.

The work at those two sites plus renovations at the corner next to Home Goods for MeeMom's, the restaurant known for its French toast and breakfast offerings, is part of the ongoing efforts of Federal Realty, the shopping center's owner, and Metrovation, the developer, to redevelop the plaza in the wake of the loss of tenants.

Those efforts started with the upgrade of the front of the plaza in 2017 and continued with the addition of LA Fitness in the spot that once held Sports Authority. Approval by the Planning Board in December 2017 included plans to create a boardwalk-like environment in the pathway between where HomeGoods sits and the former Bon Ton site.

While residents await the completion of those businesses — the Gravity Vault website says it will be opening in 2019; an opening date for Trader Joe's is not certain — two restaurants that have been in the process for some time held their grand opening at last. Township officials formally welcomed Rosalita's Roadside Cantina, a Mexican restaurant, and Tre, a pizza and pasta and beer garden restaurant.

MeeMom's is aiming for a September opening, owner Sean Farawell has said on the restaurant's Facebook page.

Trader Joe's confirmed its interest in Brick earlier this year, and its plans to come to Brick were confirmed when permits were issued in early April for the renovations.

The plaza still has a vacancy at the Bon Ton site, and a few smaller vacancies, according to the Federal Realty website.

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