Nicholas Creamery is known for its artisanal small-batch ice creams, seasonal flavors and collaborations with local businesses. Shown is the brand's location at MainStreet NB in North Brunswick. - PROVIDED BY GARDEN COMMERCIAL
Nicholas Creamery is known for its artisanal small-batch ice creams, seasonal flavors and collaborations with local businesses. Shown is the brand's location at MainStreet NB in North Brunswick. - PROVIDED BY GARDEN COMMERCIAL
Kimberly Redmond//June 12, 2026//
Fast-casual salad chain Chopt and ice cream shop Nicholas Creamery will join the lineup at a transit village under development in North Brunswick.
Developer Garden Commercial announced the new tenants June 9. Chopt signed a lease for a 2,500-square-foot space. Meanwhile, Nicholas Creamery will take a 1,100-square-foot store at the Route 1 property.
Founded in 2001, Chopt is known for its build-your-own salads, bowls and wraps made fresh using premium and locally sourced ingredients. The New York City-born chain’s footprint of 70-plus locations includes six spots in New Jersey.
Nicholas Creamery is set to open this month. After starting eight years ago in Atlantic Highlands, the brand has become popular for its artisanal small-batch ice creams, seasonal flavors and collaborations with local businesses. It also has shops in Fair Haven, Tinton Falls, Long Branch, Middletown and Wall.
MainStreet NB is a mixed-used transit village being developed on a 212-acre property formerly held by pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson. Fellow commercial tenants include Costco, Target, Panera Bread, Shake Shack, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panda Express, Cava and Courtyard by Marriott.
The MainStreet NB project calls for retail, restaurants and commercial office space. It also includes plans for a NJ Transit rail station to serve the area. The multiphase project kicked off in 2010.
Here’s a roundup of other major projects in the works (or completed) in the county.
The residential component includes plans for up to 1,000 luxury rental apartments and duplexes. It also calls for another 750 to 1,000 for-sale condo and duplex units currently built or under construction by Garden Commercial affiliate Garden Communities.
Garden Commercial Managing Partner Jonathan Frieder said it’s been “gratifying” to make progress on “one of Middlesex County’s most dynamic mixed-used developments.”
“These latest dining additions further establish MainStreet NB as a go-to destination for residents and area visitors alike” he said.
Garden Commercial Director Michael Gartenberg added, “Food uses are excellent traffic drivers that contribute significantly to a mixed-use property’s tenant mix. Chopt and Nicholas Creamery are great additions to MainStreet NB, reinforcing the property’s commitment to offering both everyday convenience and experiential dining options.”