117 Mount Bethel Road in Warren — Courtesy: Pierson Commercial
By Joshua Burd
A school operator has leased nearly 12,000 square feet at the former site of a daycare in Warren, under a newly announced transaction by Pierson Commercial.
In a news release, the brokerage firm said it represented Apple Montessori Schools in the 11,856-square-foot commitment at 117 Mount Bethel Road. It will be among the latest locations for an operator that has 15 campuses and a 47-year history, making it the largest and longest-operating network of Montessori schools in New Jersey.
The program serves children ages six weeks to 12 years, including summer camps.
“Situated between the major corridors of Route 22 and Interstate 78, this site presents the kind of bucolic, tree-lined setting in keeping with the Montessori method, along with the levels of education and incomes that are a great fit for a best-in-class operator like Apple Montessori,” said Pierson Commercial’s Gary Krauss, who represented the school. “In this continuing COVID-19 pandemic environment, it’s heartening to see a healthy childcare company have the ability to step up and serve the community. Toward that end we are aggressively seeking both new sites in central and northern New Jersey, and existing schools that fit Apple’s requirements.”
The landlord, 117 Mount Bethel Road Associates LLC, was represented in-house.
“This last year has produced a few opportunities to re-energize childcare operations that, sadly, are closing, leaving the families with no place for their children to go,” said Erica Amon, vice president of development for Apple Montessori. “Our ability to step in and unburden a difficult situation has afforded us a shortened timeline to opening new schools rather than having to build from the ground up. We bring the Apple Montessori level of care and education, which is very highly regarded in the Montessori world. We see it as a win-win.”
