Barnes & Noble Closing, Rock Climbing To Open In Howell

HOWELL, NJ — The retail shuffle is continuing in Howell Township: Barnes & Noble is closing, but the township is gaining a different kind of business, as ClimbZone, an indoor rock climbing facility.

The Goldstein Group, a commercial real estate firm, has the property that currently houses Barnes & Noble in the Lanes Mill Marketplace at 4807 Route 9 as available "immediately." The national bookseller is not renewing its lease, which expires at the end of the year, according to a Jersey Shore Online report.

Barnes & Noble has 629 stores in the United States, including ones in Brick at Brick Plaza, in Freehold on Route 9, and at Monmouth Mall.

ClimbZone, meanwhile, will be located at 5371 Route 9, in the Greenleaf shopping center, near BJ's. ClimbZone features themed climbing walls, such as Jack's giant beanstalk or the Empire State Building.

"Our mission is to create a family-friendly atmosphere where parents and children can enjoy indoor rock climbing together which challenges and excites the senses, Painted and crafted by hand, our walls provide a vivid and visually stimulating experience," the company's website says.

It is expected to open in 2019, according to an Asbury Park Press report.

The Greenleaf shopping center also is getting a quick-service restaurant called Complex Kitchen + Market, which is geared to those who focus on fitness, the Asbury Park Press report said.

Ruby Tuesday closed recently, and Best Buy was set to close in November in Howell.

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