As expected, Newark Natuiral foods will move to the Newark Shopping Center, reducing the vacancy rate at the site on East Main Street. The center is undergoing a renovation as work gets under way to reduce its vacancy rate.
The cooperative had earlier indicated it planned to move from its current location east of the shopping center off Main Street.
The Newark Shopping Center had largely escaped the renaissance in downtown Newark as vacancies increased.
Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc. announced the cooperative signed a lease for 17,610 square feet. Newark Shopping Center is managed by Atlantic Realty Companies (ARC), Vienna, Va., and is owned by ARC and partner Angelo, Gordon & Co., New York, NY.
Newark Natural Foods offers natural foods and produce through its store and the seasonal farmers market.
It offers allergen free, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan foods and also features antibiotic, hormone-free meats and dairy products. It is also known for e supplemental health and beauty care department and a selection of environmentally friendly household items and a selection of books.
Newark Natural Foods Co-op offers a community education room is used for free Landscape Conservation seminars, CPR training and children’s events.
“The new location at 250 E. Main Street will more than double our current size,” said Karen Taylor, general manager “The larger store will increase shelf space by 20% and will allow a cafe with hot and cold organic foods, a larger community education room, a bigger Sunday farmers market, as well as space to grow.”
The Co-op was founded in 1967 as a food-buying club. The active membership list now exceeds 3,600 households.
Virginia-based Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc. and partner Angelo, Gordon & Co. plan to make the community shopping center more pedestrian-friendly and contemporary with the following:
– Improved traffic lanes and parking
– Updated signage
– New landscaping
– Renovation of existing structures
– A pedestrian walkway through a retail pavilion to connect the multi-family structure to Pomeroy Trail
Replacing the bowling alley with an apartment building with 230 upscale residential units and parking garage. The closing of the bowling alley, a fixture in the city, did draw some controversy.
“We’re privileged to be able to redevelop and reinvigorate the center,” says David A. Ross, partner and president, Atlantic Realty Companies. “With the improvements we are making, not only cosmetically but also structurally, we hope that the center will come full circle, back into the lively community space that it used to be.”
Marilyn Minster, owner of Minster’s Jewelers, said that she is “thrilled” to see the shopping center being redeveloped so that it will thrive again. “I was in seventh heaven when David (David Ross, Partner and President of Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc.) offered to restore our original sign that has been disconnected for years. Now it is beautiful just like it used to be,” she said. “Minster’s Jewelry was the first tenant when the center was built. I’ve been here so long, it’s like home.”
Newark Shopping Center is the second oldest retail center in Delaware, built in 1955.
Jim Creed of CBRE and Atlantic Realty Associates jointly represented Newark Natural Foods Co-op.
Now in its 23rd year of operation, Atlantic Realty is a full-service company that owns and manages a portfolio of five million square feet of office and retail space.
