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The basics:

• Harmon‘s grand reopening runs June 6–8 in Bridgewater
• Daily giveaways, raffles, beauty demos begin at 10 a.m.
• Brand relaunched under new ownership after 2023 closure
• Store occupies former Party City space

Harmon is celebrating its return to Somerset County with three days’ worth of giveaways, makeovers and product demonstrations.

Following a soft launch last month at 730 Route 202 in Bridgewater, the beloved discount beauty, health and cosmetics retailer will officially mark the launch of its third store with festivities June 6–8.

Each day, the event kicks off at 10 a.m. with free samples for the first 50 people. Harmon will also offer raffles, mini makeovers (11 a.m.–3 p.m.), eyebrow tips and tricks, and other surprises.

After purchasing the brand’s intellectual property rights in August 2023 during Bed Bath & Beyond‘s bankruptcy proceedings, New York investor Jonah Raskas is rebooting at least five of the brand’s stores in the tri-state area.

The chain’s 50-plus locations shuttered in January 2023 as part of its Union-based parent company’s attempts to stay afloat financially. While most Harmon outposts were in New Jersey and New York, the retailer’s footprint extended into California, Connecticut, Florida and Nevada, too.

Over the past year-and-a-half, Raskas has turned the lights back on at Harmon’s old stores in West Caldwell and New Rochelle, N.Y. After Bridgewater, a location in Garwood will open soon, according to Harmon’s website.

At Bridgewater Town Centre, Harmon takes over space formerly occupied by specialty retailer Party City. After declaring bankruptcy for the second time in two years in December 2024, the Woodcliff Lake-headquartered company went out of business and shut its 750-store fleet. In February, Harmon reportedly acquired the lease in Bridgewater for $50,191 and began working to bring the brand back to the area. The chain previously had locations in nearby Raritan and Green Brook.

If it’s not broken …

The new store is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

According to Raskas, Bridgewater features expanded hair and skincare aisles, as well as a larger selection of travel and trial-sized products. Additionally, customers can earn 2% cash back annually if they sign up to become VIP rewards members, and receive a free welcome gift.

Founded in 1971, Harmon earned a cult-like following for its wide assortment of soap, makeup, haircare and skincare products, low prices and travel-sized products collection. Its offerings included big brand names, as well as Harmon’s private labels (Face Values, Core Values and Smart Values).

During an interview last fall with NJBIZ, Raskas said Harmon was determining where to reopen by targeting areas where the brand has historically performed well.

When customers return to Harmon, Raskas said it’ll be “almost identical to what it previously was.” “We wanted people to have that experience because it worked. If it’s not broken, don’t try to fix something,” he explained.

As for the biggest challenges of reviving the brand, Raskas said rebuilding processes and the team have been “the hardest.”

“But also, the most exciting and the most fun as well because it enabled us to be more nimble, more flexible, quicker and do things differently than has been done in the past while at the same time delivering the same great Harmon experience,” he said