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The basics:

• Sprouts Farmers Market to open 28,750-sf store at Somerset Shopping Center
• Addition strengthens tenant mix alongside Gap Factory, Barnes & Noble, Fortunoff
• Sprouts expands presence in New Jersey, joining 5 existing Garden State locations
• Somerset Shopping Center positioned at Somerville Circle on Routes 202/206

The Somerset Shopping Center on the Somerville Circle in Bridgewater is bringing on another anchor tenant with addition of Sprouts Farmers Market.

Levin Management Corp. revealed the major milestone at the Somerset County retail property March 24. Sprouts Farmers Market signed a lease for 28,750 square feet.

LMC serves as leasing and managing agent for the site. The addition introduces a supermarket to the property, building on recent momentum and backfill leasing at the highly visible community shopping center. Other recent additions include Boot Barn, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, and Strand Salon Studios and Style Brow Bar.

It also expands Sprouts Farmers Markets’ presence in the Garden State. The grocer currently has five New Jersey locations: Marlton, Haddon Township, Aberdeen, Woodbury and Woodbridge.

The banner first sprouted here in 2019.

Based in Phoenix, Sprouts operates more than 480 stores in 25 states with a team of 36,000-plus employees. The specialty grocery store focuses on fresh, natural and organic foods, and offers plant-based, gluten-free and other lifestyle-focused products.

It’s also known for placing its produce at the center of the in-store experience — invoking a famers market experience.

A game changing tenant

LMC leasing representatives Vanessa Kelty and Ed Vasconcellos represented the landlord in the lease transaction. RIPCO Real Estate‘s Mike Horn and Steven Winters represented the tenant.

Kelty called the addition of Sprouts a game changer.

She went on to describe the grocery banner as, “exactly the kind of anchor that can elevate a shopping center’s performance. Its presence will enhance the tenant mix, generate strong daily traffic and further strengthen Somerset Shopping Center’s position in the market.”

At Somerset Shopping Center, Sprouts joins local operators and national names. Barnes & Noble also anchors the property. Additionally, LMC revealed D1 Training as an incoming tenant earlier this month.

Levin Management Corp. CEO Matthew Harding said the new Sprouts anchor reflects the strength of the property and the surrounding trade area.

“A quality grocer can have a transformative impact on a shopping center by driving repeat visits, expanding daily-use appeal and strengthening the performance of surrounding tenants. Sprouts is a first-class retailer and an outstanding fit for this center,” he said.

Situated in affluent Somerset County, the retail property sits at the nexus of Routes 202, 206, 28 and 22. Within a 5-mile radius, LMC put the average household income at more than $178,000. According to the company, the property draws 1.2 million visits annually.

Sprouts Farmers Market did not respond to a request regarding its opening timeline or hiring plans before press time.

Looking for space?

LMC is currently marketing leasing opportunities at Somerset Shopping Center ranging from 6,000 square feet to 22,183 square feet.