A project by Wick Cos. will bring more than 60,000 square feet of new retail space to the intersection of routes 1 and 35 in Woodbridge. — Courtesy: Township of Woodbridge
By Joshua Burd
Wick Cos. LLC has broken ground on more than 60,000 square feet of new retail space in Woodbridge that will revitalize a long-vacant property at the junction of routes 1 and 35.
The developer, which is based in the township, is eyeing a mid- to late 2025 delivery for what will be called Cloverleaf Retail Center. Its plans call for a complex that will be anchored by grocer Sprouts Market, a national organic food supermarket chain, as negotiations continue to bring several other tenants to the property.
Wick President Robert G. Paulus joined Mayor John E. McCormac on Wednesday to mark the start of construction.
“The Cloverleaf redevelopment project will transform the long vacant and underutilized site that was formerly occupied by Pier One into a productive commercially successful modern retail center that will offer upscale marketing, retail, dining and shopping experiences,” McCormac said. “We are thrilled to have Sprouts, a terrific national organic farmer’s market, as the anchor tenant with multiple clothing retailers, restaurants and health-related businesses expressing interest in locating at the crossroads location.”
Officials noted that the project is named after the first cloverleaf intersection in the state of New Jersey at the nexus of the two busy highways. The township has sought to redevelop the site in recent years, turning to a firm that has completed a senior housing project in the municipality and will soon deliver a second.
Wick is also finalizing a lease that would bring a national retail footwear company to Cloverleaf Center, according to a news release. Township officials added that the firm is in various stages of discussions with several other national retailers, including Loft, CAVA, Turning Point, Paris Baguette, Habit Burger and Duck Donuts.
Joining McCormac and Paulus for the recent ceremony were Wick principals Tim Paulus and Daniel Paulus, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Caroline Ehrlich, Woodbridge Department of Planning & Development Director Marta Lefsky, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency Deputy Director Heather LaMotta, Councilman Cory Spillar and Councilwoman Sharon McAuliffe.
