Somerset Shopping Center at 365 Route 206 in Bridgewater — Courtesy: Levin Management Corp.
By Joshua Burd
A retail center in Bridgewater has scored its first-ever grocery anchor after signing a lease with Sprouts Farmers Market, in a newly announced deal by Levin Management Corp.
According to a news release, the chain will occupy 28,750 square feet at Somerset Shopping Center along Route 202/206 and just north of the Somerville Circle. The location will be among more than 480 stores in 25 states for the grocer, including five in New Jersey, bringing a concept that places fresh produce at the center of its in-store experience and offers a mix of fresh, natural and organic foods and plant-based, gluten-free and other lifestyle-focused products.
LMC leasing representatives Vanessa Kelty and Ed Vasconcellos represented the landlord in the lease. RIPCO Real Estate’s Mike Horn and Steven Winters represented Sprouts, which is based in Phoenix and was Progressive Grocer’s 2024 Retailer of the Year.
“This is a game-changing new anchor for Somerset Shopping Center,” said Kelty, a senior leasing representative with LMC. “Sprouts Farmers Market is an outstanding addition to the property and exactly the kind of anchor that can elevate a shopping center’s performance. Its presence will enhance the tenant mix, generate strong daily traffic and further strengthen Somerset Shopping Center’s position in the market.”
The deal is a major milestone for the 219,000-square-foot community shopping center, further strengthening its merchandising mix and long-term positioning in one of Central Jersey’s strongest trade areas, LMC said. Sprouts Farmers Market will join Barnes & Noble as an anchor at the property, adding a high-demand grocery component expected to drive frequent visits and broaden the center’s consumer appeal.
The lease also follows a series of recent additions and openings that underscore the center’s growing momentum. They include fitness concept D1 Training, which is coming soon, and recent arrivals such as Boot Barn, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Strand Salon Studios and Style Brow Bar, all of which opened in 2025.
The property serves an affluent and densely populated trade area, with some 126,000 residents within a five-mile radius and average household incomes exceeding $178,000, the leasing team said. Other retailers, restaurants and service providers include Gap Factory, Fortunoff Backyard Store, Liquor Cave, Norman’s Hallmark, Men’s Wearhouse, Pearle Vision, Optimum and Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, among others.
“Adding Sprouts Farmers Market as a new anchor is a significant milestone for Somerset Shopping Center and reflects the strength of the property and its surrounding trade area,” said Matthew K. Harding, Levin’s CEO. “A quality grocer can have a transformative impact on a shopping center by driving repeat visits, expanding daily-use appeal and strengthening the performance of surrounding tenants. Sprouts is a first-class retailer and an outstanding fit for this center. This lease reinforces the property’s long-term value and our commitment to strategic merchandising that positions our centers for sustained success.”
