Somerset Shopping Center adds outdoor furniture retailer

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Fortunoff Backyard Store continues its regional expansion with a new, high-profile location coming to Somerset County.

Exclusive leasing and managing agent Levin Management Corp. announced it secured the outdoor and patio furniture and accessories retailer for a 9,400-square-foot commitment at Somerset Shopping Center on March 23.

LMC Senior Leasing Representative Vanessa Fernandez-Kelty arranged the transaction on behalf of the landlord; Jake Frantzman of RIPCO Real Estate represented the tenant.

Fortunoff Backyard takes over a space formerly occupied by Pier 1 Imports at the Bridgewater complex, which offers 219,000 square feet and is located at the Somerville Circle — a junction of Routes 202, 206 and 28. After relaunching in the New Jersey/New York market in 2010, Fortunoff now has more than two dozen locations across those two states, Connecticut, Delaware and Pennsylvania, according to LMC.

Fernandez-Kelly said in a statement that the store is set to open in time for the spring buying season.

“[W]e are pleased to have been able to meet their timing needs,” she said. “The condition of the space enabled a turnkey delivery; Fortunoff has plans for a full renovation of the space later in the year.”

Fortunoff Backyard’s assortment of higher-end patio furniture and accessories is complemented by items including fire pits, patio heaters and pool accessories. It joins current tenants including Gap, Christmas Tree Shops, Barnes & Noble, Pearl Vision, Norman’s Hallmark, Pupcakes and Pawstries Barkery and Shoppe, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Rite Aid, TGI Fridays and Men’s Wearhouse.

According to LMC, Somerset Shopping Center serves a growing residential population of 121,000 people within a 5-mile radius with an average household income of $140,000. About 72,000 vehicles pass the center daily.