Wednesday, March 1, 2017

UPDATE: "Italian-Inspired Fresh Food Marketplace" Coming to Downtown Newark


UPDATE 3/2/17: According to Lonnie Soury, who represents the RBH Group, the company is finalizing a transaction with Aldo Sartore of ITA Concepts, who is "the co-founder of the Eataly vision", "to locate a 10,000 square foot 'first-of-its-kind' Italian-inspired fresh food marketplace in Teachers Village".

However, although the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation's Chief Real Estate Officer tells Essex County Place that it will be an Eataly location, according to Soury, the marketplace will not have the Eataly name.

"We look forward to welcoming this innovative concept to Teachers Village and the burgeoning Newark restaurant scene," said Soury, adding that it is expected to open towards the end of 2017 or the beginning of 2018.

In a statement, Brianna Buford of Eataly told Essex County Place that "while Eataly is always looking to expand into new markets, there are currently no plans to open in Newark, NJ", and that there is not a connection between Eataly and the upcoming Newark marketplace.

Original Report:

Newark, New Jersey: A popular chain of Italian marketplaces is reportedly planning to open its first New Jersey location in Essex County.

Carmelo G. Garcia, the Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate Officer of the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation, told Essex County Place that Eataly will open a market and restaurant within the new Teachers Village mixed-use residential, retail, and educational community along Halsey Street in Downtown Newark. According to Garcia, a lease has been executed between Eataly and the RBH Group for a 15,000 square foot location, which is set to become the anchor tenant at Teachers Village.

"It's not any more that Newark is on the rise, I think Newark is now soaring," said Garcia.

Eataly currently has dozens of locations worldwide, including in Brazil, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Qatar, South Korea, the United Arab Emerates, and the United States. There are American markets in Downtown Manhattan, Manhattan's Flatiron District, Chicago, and Boston, and a location is also planned for Los Angeles.

Essex County Place has reached out to Eataly for comment and this article will be updated should the company respond, and as more details become available.

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