Journal Squared in Jersey City — Courtesy: Qualls Benson
Joshua Burd
A popular Brooklyn-based grocer is opening its first New Jersey location at Journal Squared, the acclaimed Jersey City residential property by Kushner Real Estate Group.
According to the developer, Food Story Natural Market is leasing nearly 10,000 square feet at the base of Journal Squared Tower 2, the tallest of what will soon be three buildings with a combined 1,840 apartments. Set to open this spring, the store will front Pavonia and Summit avenues to provide a convenient location above the Journal Square PATH station, serving renters at the property, commuters and local residents with a selection of natural and organic products.
Those offerings will include meats, fish, sushi, fresh produce and hot and cold foods, all prepared on the premises, along with fresh flowers and plants.
“Food Story Natural Market has earned a solid reputation in Brooklyn for delivering a high-quality product and meeting the needs of neighborhood residents,” said Jonathan Kushner, president of KRE Group, which is developing Journal Squared with National Real Estate Advisors LLC. “We’re delighted to bring them across the river to Jersey City and believe they will be a tremendous quality-of-life asset for our residents and all those who live and work in the area.”
Food Story’s new location will build on its four stores in Brooklyn, according to a news release, including a recently opened store in Williamsburg. It will help anchor Tower 2, a 68-story, 704-unit building that leased up within five months of being delivered last year.
The structure debuted alongside Tower 1, which has 538 apartments and opened in spring 2017.
“We’re a boutique organic market that tries to carry whatever our customers need,” said Danny Young, the owner of Food Story. “We never really considered expanding to New Jersey, but when our broker brought us to Journal Square, we thought it was an outstanding location. It’s a thriving commercial and residential neighborhood and the Journal Squared building is very upscale. We believe our concept will be a great product and service for the area.”
Grid Real Estate’s Bobby Antonicello represented ownership in the lease, working alongside KRE Group’s Justin Gingeleskie.
“Over the past few years, we have seen an influx of Brooklyn based retailers looking to open in the Jersey City market,” Antonicello said. “Not only in downtown but in all neighborhoods of Jersey City. In the past, these retailers would say we want a second location in Hoboken, but now they are looking for multiple locations in Jersey City and expanding on their already popular concept at each location.”
KRE broke ground on the third and final tower last fall. When complete, the 60-story high-rise will have 600 apartments and bring the total homes at the complex to 1,840, along with 36,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.
Journal Squared, which has helped spark a revival in Jersey City’s historic commercial neighborhood, also includes a new landscaped pedestrian plaza known as Magnolia Landing that leads to the adjacent transit hub. Residents benefit from covered direct access to the Journal Square Transportation Center with rail service to Lower and Midtown Manhattan, Jersey City, Hoboken and Newark, along with service on NJ Transit and private buses.
