Are These New Businesses Coming To The Kmart Plaza In Hazlet?

HAZLET, NJ — Get ready: It's already been confirmed that Aldi, the discount grocery store, is relocating there, but here's what else is very likely coming to what's known as the "Kmart Plaza" on Rt. 35 in Hazlet:

- A Panera Bread, with possibly a drive through

- A Burlington Coat Factory, which would move into the Kmart space

- A Wawa, which would be part of a gas station

- And the Planet Fitness that is there now would be relocating to the other end of the plaza.

None of this has been confirmed by Onxy Equities, the holding company that owns Kmart Plaza complex. But all of these potential new tenants are listed in a marketing website created by the Goldstein Group, a retail leasing company hired to attract business to the Kmart Plaza. This is all part of a redevelopment plan by the Hazlet Township Committee to revamp and revitalize the Kmart Plaza, breathing new life into it as the "Hazlet Town Center."

"Nothing has been confirmed, but we're happy the redevelopment plan was approved, and to see new activity there," Deputy Hazlet Mayor Sue Kiley told Patch.

Right now, Aldi is located on Rt. 35 northbound at Poole Avenue. As Patch previously reported, they are planning to relocate to a much larger space inside the long-closed Pathmark in the Kmart Plaza. Their decision to move across Rt. 35 became public because Aldi had to get the Hazlet Planning Board's permission to build several loading docks at the site.

The Aldi will be open before the end of 2018, the Asbury Park Press reported.