Target recently opened a new store at Flemington Marketplace at 325 Route 202 in Flemington — Courtesy: Levin Management Corp.
By Joshua Burd
Demand for retail space in the region is strong and steady, according to a prominent real estate services firm, thanks in large part to discount chains and experiential and fitness operators.
Levin Management Corp. announced last week that it completed nearly 570,000 square feet of leasing activity through mid-2025 across its portfolio of more than 100 properties in and around New Jersey. That includes 68 deals comprising new commitments, renewals, extensions and license agreements, with discount retailers leading the way with some 115,000 square feet in transactions and experiential and fitness operators accounting for nearly 60,000 square feet.
North Plainfield-based LMC said the categories highlight consumer appetite for both value-driven shopping and lifestyle-oriented opportunities.
“The open-air sector continues to outperform its retail real estate peers,” said Matthew K. Harding, the firm’s CEO. “Retailers are prioritizing open-air centers in high-demand corridors that provide the visibility and convenience they need to succeed. That positions Levin-managed properties and their tenants to excel in today’s evolving retail landscape.”
Levin’s midyear leasing update touted deals at several prominent locations, including the newly redeveloped Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung. The property this year has attracted national operators including Burlington, Five Below and Taco Bell, while longtime tenant Marshalls committed to a new store within the center.
The leases represent more than 72,000 square feet of new commitments, underscoring the success of the property’s transformation, LMC said. Earlier this year, the center also marked the opening of a state-of-the-art ShopRite, a longtime anchor that occupies a newly constructed store.
Other highlights include:
- Burlington’s commitment at the fully leased St. Georges Crossing
- Gap Factory’s lease at Mayfair Shopping Center in Commack, New York
- The addition of Boot Barn and Style Brow Bar to Somerset Shopping Center in Bridgewater
According to LMC, the leasing activity through mid-2025 underscores both the strength of today’s retail environment and diversity among active categories. Much of that stems from value-oriented shopping at operators such as Burlington, Five Below and Gap Factory, while shopping centers are increasingly acting as destinations for experiences and fitness concepts.
To that end, recent LMC-led deals include indoor pickleball facility PB Club’s lease at Twin City Shopping Center in Jersey City. The firm also arranged transactions at Mayfair Shopping Center with My Gym and Kids Empire and at St. Georges Crossing with Activate Games.
Another active category is specialty retail and dining, LMC said, citing the addition of Nothing Bundt Cakes and Norman’s Hallmark at Flemington Marketplace on Route 202. Both joined the tenant roster at the Flemington property alongside Target, which recently celebrated its grand opening.
“Following strong performance in 2024, during which our team completed more than 1 million square feet in leasing activity, our middyear 2025 results put us on course for another impressive year,” Harding said. “These deals reflect how retailers are adapting to consumer priorities — value, convenience and engaging experiences — and choosing open-air centers as the ideal platform to deliver them. With robust demand across categories and a healthy pipeline of prospects, we expect leasing velocity to remain strong through year-end and beyond.”
