Developers, city officials hail Starbucks’ arrival in Bayonne

Starbucks at 26 Goldsborough Drive in Bayonne, part of the Harbor View Marketplace retail center by JMF Properties and RD Management — Courtesy: JMF Properties

By Joshua Burd

A new Starbucks has opened its doors at a growing retail center in Bayonne, in what local officials say is another sign of the city’s resurgence as a residential destination.

The new store, located at 26 Goldsborough Drive, is the latest addition to the Harbor View Marketplace project by JMF Properties and RD Management. The development team joined city officials and Starbucks representatives last week to mark the store’s debut, while highlighting the growth of the former Military Ocean Terminal along the Bayonne waterfront.

“On behalf of the city of Bayonne, I would like to welcome Starbucks to our community,” Mayor Jimmy Davis said. “The decision by Starbucks to locate here demonstrates that Bayonne is a desirable market in the metropolitan area. We are happy that Bayonne is providing Starbucks with one of its carefully chosen locations.”

Located just off Route 440, Harbor View Marketplace spans 240,000 square feet of retail space. It’s already home to a 157,000-square-foot Costco store and gas station, while other businesses such as LA Fitness, Lidl, CVS Pharmacy and Posh Nails & Beauty Lounge are slated to open soon.

“This is a perfect example of what can happen when the city and a developer work together toward a common goal,” said Joseph M. Forgione, founder and principal of JMF Properties. “The city of Bayonne, under the leadership of Mayor Davis, has been instrumental in helping us deliver businesses like Costco and Starbucks to the community in a timely manner. Starbucks is an excellent fit for the retail mix we are curating here with our partner RD Management and we believe they will be very successful in this location.”

JMF Properties and RD Management recently marked the opening of a new Starbucks at Harbor View Marketplace, a mixed-use development off Route 440 in Bayonne. From left: Starbucks District Manager Kevin Damon, Starbucks employee Alexa Mark, Starbucks employee Febrera Garcia, Bayonne Third Ward Council Member Gary LaPelusa, Starbucks Store Manager Chris Paone, Council Member At-Large Juan Perez, Hudson County Freeholder Kenny Kopacz, Kelsey Kopacz, JMF Properties Founder and Principal Joseph M. Forgione, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, Bayonne City Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski and BCB Community Bank Vice President of Marketing Pam Sclafane.

The developers noted that Harbor View Marketplace is located in an Urban Enterprise Zone on a fast-developing stretch of the Bayonne waterfront, with 37,000 cars passing daily and a location just 500 yards from New Jersey Turnpike Exit 14A. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail’s 34^th Street station is across the street, making the center easily accessible by transit.

“We’re thrilled to have Starbucks as part of the diverse mix of national tenants at Harbor View Marketplace,” said Richard Birdoff, principal and president of RD Management. “We, alongside JMF Properties, believe this live-work-play development will become a top-tier destination and fulfill the lifestyle needs of the Bayonne community.”

In addition to Harbor View Marketplace, JMF Properties, RD Management and Accurate Builders and Developers are developing a multifamily project just steps from the new Starbucks. Known as ScenicVue, the development will feature 651 luxury apartments with upscale amenities, rooftop terraces, walking paths and sweeping views of the Bayonne Golf Club from many of the units.

Meantime, a new commuter ferry terminal that will offer service to Manhattan is under construction near the property.

Joshua Burd

Joshua Burd, an award-winning reporter and editor, has been covering New Jersey commercial real estate for eight years. Many industry leaders view him as the go-to real estate reporter in the state, a role he is eager to continue as the editor of Real Estate NJ. He is a lifelong New Jersey resident who has spent a decade covering the great Garden State.