The Shops at Brick at 131-191 Van Zile Road in Brick — Courtesy: JLL
By Joshua Burd
Crunch Fitness is coming to a newly updated retail center in Brick, where it will lease 25,000 square feet in the largest of three recent transactions arranged by JLL.
The brokerage team, which represents ownership, said the Primetime Fitness-owned franchise will anchor The Shops at Brick at 131-191 Van Zile Road. That follows TFE Properties’ acquisition of the complex last year and a subsequent refresh meant to enhance its curb appeal and create a more inviting environment for visitors.
Those updates have also helped it secure a 7,799-square-foot lease with Health Village Imaging, part of the Hackensack Meridian Health system, and an 8,000-square-foot deal with Bubble Island, the fast-growing indoor children’s entertainment concept.
“When we acquired The Shops at Brick, our vision was to create a modern neighborhood destination that reflects how people shop, work out and spend time with their families today,” said Carey Tajfel, principal of TFE Properties. “Refreshing the property’s appearance was an important first step, but the real opportunity lies in assembling a thoughtful mix of retailers and service providers that complement one another. We’re thrilled to welcome these new tenants who will create an even stronger experience for shoppers while generating consistent traffic that benefits every tenant in the center.”
JLL’s Alana Friedman, Craig Parcells and David Townes lead the agency team for The Shops at Brick and continue to market availabilities ranging from 1,392 to 24,934 square feet. Brian Von Schmid of RIPCO Real Estate represented Primetime Fitness, while Stephen Hanscom and Carolyn B. Sica of CBRE represented Health Village Imaging and EXP Realty represented Bubble Island.
“Successful neighborhood shopping centers are built around complementary uses that give customers multiple reasons to visit throughout the day,” Friedman said. “Fitness, health care and family entertainment each generate repeat visitation on their own, but together they create a destination that serves the daily needs of the community while strengthening the performance of the entire property.”
According to a news release, Primetime is one of the fastest-growing franchises within the Crunch Fitness system and has been expanding its footprint across New York and New Jersey. The new Brick location will feature the Crunch 3.0 design, combining modern aesthetics with enhanced functionality to deliver an upgraded fitness experience.
Health Village Imaging, for its part, will operate a comprehensive medical office and radiology center, bringing essential health care services to The Shops at Brick. And Bubble Island will provide a family entertainment venue that will add a dynamic recreational component to the center’s tenant mix.
Located at the intersection of Route 70 and Van Zile Road, The Shops at Brick benefits from strong regional access and serves a three-mile trade area of more than 81,000 residents with a median household income of $91,000, JLL said. Since acquiring the property in spring 2025, TFE Properties has completed exterior improvements, including new signage and enhancements to the arrival experience, creating a more welcoming environment for visitors and reinforcing The Shops at Brick as a premier neighborhood retail destination along one of Ocean County’s primary commercial corridors.
