Michaels Arts and Crafts Store Heading to Eatontown Next Year

By early next year, you won't need to drive 10 minutes in either direction on Route 35 if you get a hankering to crochet a blanket or your fifth grader needs styrofoam balls for a science project.

A Michaels arts and crafts store will open in the soon-to-be-renamed Office Max Plaza at the intersection of Route 35 and Route 36 in Eatontown, according to Ben Lucarelli, principal for JPL Realty Management in Red Bank.

According to the Michaels Web site, it is the largest arts and crafts specialty retailer in North America with over 500 stores.

Lucarelli, who serves as managing agent for the property, at 178 State Route 35, said that the new store should open in the 20,000-square-foot space around March 1. , which currently serves as the plaza's anchor store, will close its doors on Sept. 24.

Lucarelli said the lease with was expiring and when he had gotten an indication that they were not renewing, they went into talks with Michael's. He noted that the office supply store had closed most of its other locations in the area.

The plaza will undergo a "rebranding," Lucarelli said, with new signage to reflect its new name: Michael's Plaza.

"We're very fortunate to get Michael's," said Lucarelli. "It's a good thing for the plaza."

Michael's has stores located on 2135 Route 35 in Holmdel, 2325 Route 66 in Ocean Township and 4345 Route 9 in Freehold.