What Should Replace Sears? Patch Readers Respond

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Attention Simon Property Group: Ocean County residents have some ideas on what should be done with the soon-to-be-vacated Sears store at the Ocean County Mall.

When Sears Holdings announced last Thursday that it will be closing the Sears at the Ocean County Mall by April, the suggestions started flowing about what should replace it.

The store, which was the first one to open in July 1976 when the mall was being built, encompasses 108,000 square feet, according to an Asbury Park Press report from the time accessed on Newspapers.com. Bamberger's, which later was bought by Macy's, and JC Penney were the two other anchor stores at the time.

With the dramatic changes in the retail landscape, what will happen to the space is anyone's guess right now. But for the folks at Simon Property Group, which more than 200 properties in 37 states and Puerto Rico, including Ocean County Mall among 14 in New Jersey, a change of purpose is not out of the question, as its properties include "premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations," according to the company's website.

Here are some of the ideas suggested by Patch readers posting comments on Facebook or responding by email:

STORES

Primark: The retailer carries clothing, home items, health and beauty products. Described as a discount fashion retailer, there is one located at Freehold Raceway Mall.

Wegman's or Trader Joe's: The high-end food retailers are favorites, mentioned every time a property opens up in Ocean County. So far, neither has been willing to take a chance on the Ocean County market. Trader Joe's has a store in Shrewsbury and Wegman's has one in Ocean Township in Monmouth County, both relatively affluent areas.

Blake, a reader from Toms River, said: "I grew up in Toms River and just moved back from living in Dallas and one thing I noticed a lot down there was grocery stores and department stores (usually Target) attached to their malls. It forces foot traffic and makes 'going to the mall' a day event. I think Ocean County is deeply in need of a Trader Joe's and seeing that the closest supermarkets are the overcrowded mega ShopRite on (Route 37), the over-expensive Stop and Shop right down the road from that, and the ShopRite on Fischer and Bay that you wouldn’t know existed unless you lived in the backyard, a Trader Joe's on a very well positioned corner with good traffic flow would be ideal."

Cabela's: This retailer caters to those who love camping and hunting and especially fishermen. Fishing is a significant piece of the tourism industry at the Jersey Shore, but there are a number of small bait-and-tackle shops that cater to fishermen. The closest Cabela's is in Pennsylvania. Similar retailers mentioned were LL Bean, REI and Bass Pro Shops (which sponsors NASCAR champion Martin Truex of the Mayetta section of Stafford Township).

Also in the outdoors vein, a few people suggested a gun shop/gun range should go in the spot. That would be a hard sell given the nearby senior living apartments and residential area, because the noise would be difficult to fully deaden.

Dillards: A department storesimilar to Macy's, it has no locations north of Virginia on the East Coast.

Nordstrom or Lord & Taylor: These two department stores draw Ocean County residents. "I live in Toms River and usually I have to drive to Freehold (Raceway) Mall to get the things that I need. That would be great, amazing actually, if we could get one of those stores into that space."

RESTAURANTS

The Cheesecake Factory: The restaurant offers a full menu but its desserts draw the attention. The closest one is Freehold.

Cracker Barrel: Old-fashioned homestyle food and its general store make this a frequent flyer on favorites lists. The closest one is in Robbinsville. The company has a reputation for citing its restaurants near major highways. A plan to put one in Freehold recently fell through over architectural issues.

Golden Corral: A buffet-style restaurant popular in the south. Its closest restaurants are in Freehold and Atlantic City.

ENTERTAINMENT

Dave and Buster's: Part restaurant, part giant arcade, this was suggested by a number of residents. From arcade games to places to watch football and other sports, plus food and drink, it has a variety of offerings. The closest ones are in Philadelphia and Woodbridge; one is opening in Wayne in February.

Also mentioned in the entertainment category was something similar to iPlay America in Freehold. The entertainment center includes an indoor amusement park, arcade games and regularly hosts a variety of concerts in a small venue with up-and-coming teen stars.

Others suggested turning the Sears site into an indoor skatepark or something similar.

"Something for the kids — paint ball, bounce houses," Teddie Snyder said. Anything "besides more retail stores and restaurants."

Also suggested were a roller skating rink, laser tag, and an Imax movie theater with dinner options. A couple mentioned an indoor farmers' market, or an indoor flea market.

Legoland was mentioned by one person.

An indoor water park, similar to Sahara Sam's in West Berlin, NJ, (that water park is 58,000 square feet) would be an option for water fun when it's too cold for the beach.

"This mall has been spiraling down since the '90s," wrote John Karl. "Times are changing, online ordering is beating out brick-and-mortar businesses. It’s time to move forward and create a recreational shopping environment that will create foot traffic. Toms River is in need of either an Iplay or (Dave and Buster's), anything that creates family outing experience."

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