By Matthew Hersh
Retailers faced unimaginable challenges emerging from the pandemic-era global shutdown, suffering financial and revenue loss, supply chain disruptions, shifts in consumer behavior, and labor and staffing shortages. Princeton was not immune from the fallout and the Princeton Shopping Center, nestled for 70 years at 301 North Harrison Street, suffered visibly from vacancies and a general need for facade improvement maintenance.
Even in those early days of retailers coming back to life, the Princeton Shopping Center’s rebound, coupled with aesthetic improvements and new housing located on site, has been a
welcome surprise.
“When we started this process, there were a lot of holes to fill at the Shopping Center. It was kind of a low point,” said Edens Vice President of Development and Construction Ryan Leeming during a recent report given at the October 27 Princeton Council meeting.
But just a few years later, “all the spaces have been filled,” he said.
One of the biggest post-COVID-19 setbacks was the loss of the New York Sports Clubs, which closed or sold all of its locations in 2020. Since then, the vacancy created by the fitness club’s departure has been significant and challenging to fill, Leeming said. Until now.
Fitness Factory Health Club announced plans in September for a brand new 29,000-square-foot facility opening in spring 2026 at the Shopping Center. The new location will feature a full complement of equipment, classes, and amenities consistent with what customers have come to expect from the Fitness Factory brand.
The upcoming Princeton location will be one of the largest in the Fitness Factory locations across New Jersey and the New York metro area. “We are proud to bring Fitness Factory to Princeton and be part of such a vibrant and dynamic community,” said Dennis Cieri, co-managing member of Fitness Factory Health Club. “While it’s still early in development, we are committed to creating a state-of-the-art health club that reflects the values of our brand and provides an exceptional experience for our future members.”
Gym amenities and programming will be announced closer to the opening, Leeming said.
The center courtyard playground and clock tower have been heavily used, particularly throughout the summer for the Princeton Public Library’s concert series, with Triumph Brewery now operating the clocktower cabana.
Seven new murals throughout the site were done in collaboration with the Arts Council of Princeton. Avalon Bay, one of the Shopping Center’s adjacent housing developers, also contributed mural art. Coupled with the movie nights, the Shopping Center hosted more than 20 unique events, Leeming said, over half of which were recurring themes that saw an escalation in return shoppers.
Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros commented on the Shopping Center’s commitment to “experiential retail,” where families can shop while experiencing family-friendly activities. Leeming spoke recently at a Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber breakfast on “The Experiential Retail Boom” that emphasizes a shift from transactional shopping experiences to keep customers engaged. Today’s trends tend to be more immersive and experiential, and blend shopping, entertainment, and social engagement.
“So much of [the Shopping Center’s] retail is experiential and family-oriented, and we spoke a lot about the fact that the Shopping Center is family- and community-oriented, and you really responded,” Lambros said.
The new housing onsite has been “absolutely integral” in the overall success and renaissance of the Shopping Center. “Adding housing is something that we, as Edens, look to do when we can because it drives foot traffic and has a built-in consumer,” Leeming said, adding that the housing element “really led the way.” The renovations to the existing infrastructure of the 70-year-old facility “completed the picture,” he said.
“Once people saw it was a construction site and buildings were coming out of the ground and facades were being torn down and rebuilt, we saw people say “OK, I really want to be part of this,” Leeming said.
Councilman Leighton Newlin celebrated the improvements as a benefit to the entire community.
“The Shopping Center is exploding with goodness right now. It is so much fun, so comfortable, and there’s a warm feeling just to walk around there to see the new amenities and see kids playing,” Newlin said, adding that Edens has “really responded to building community in a magnificent way, and I encourage you to continue to keep building community and keep the rents reasonable to keep the retail there mixed.”
Council President Mia Sacks praised Edens for being “remarkably responsible,” and praised their partnership with the municipality to achieve housing goals there.
“Had we not been able to surround the Shopping Center with residential density, we would not have been able to maintain the commercial core,” said Sacks.