Unoccupied spaces set to become chic wine bars, dessert spots, and popular restaurants promising weekend and nightlife.
Finally there is hope of downtown Newark having activity after the work day ends. While there has been consistent development in Newark for nearly two decades, the early onset businesses and retail shops catered mainly to the employees at Prudential, Audible and the students at various colleges and universities in the area. This practice of being open only when corporate America was open, or only when school was in session, left a lot to be desired after 5pm or on Saturday or Sunday.
“I think our plan for Consigliere is to activate on the weekends in a way that we feel downtown Newark hasn’t activated in a while,” says Karl Fowlkes, co-founder of Consigliere, a wine and tapas bar being built at the Newark Urby luxury apartment building on Washington Street. “We want to just bring energy, talent, and experiences in a way that I think Newark hasn’t had in a long time.”
Fowlers and his partner Jarel Rosser were able to secure funding from the Invest Newark Retail Reactivation grant to help offset the cost of building-out the space, and purchasing furniture and equipment. The City of Newark and Invest Newark have pledged $3.6 million into the grant program so far. Business operators are eligible for up to $650,000 depending on the square footage of the storefront.
“Our new initiative reflects a commitment to bring new life into vacant retail spaces and enhance Newark’s physical appearance to enrich the lives of residents, visitors and workers,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. It is an important step in our strategy to make downtown a 24/7, exciting, walkable area where people can live, work and play.”
Taking over the vacant restaurant and rooftop space at the Indigo Hotel that didn’t survive COVID-19, is Delta’s Restaurant, a Southern-style restaurant that has been an around-the-clock landmark in New Brunswick for over two decades.
“We want to make a space (in Newark) where people can come to after graduations from Seton Hall, Rutgers Law, and the local high schools. We are going to piggyback off what’s happening at the Prudential Center in in terms of concerts and sporting events,” says restauranter Joshua Suggs who has had major success being the go-to place for everything from celebration parties, to weekend jazz sets, to happy hours at his first location. Suggs says he wants to engage concert and event-goers such as those coming to Newark for the World Cup. “I think it’s really about forward, out of the box dynamic thinking, which currently in my opinion hasn’t really been done too much before… so we’re looking to take the restaurant to the next level.”
“We want to make a space (in Newark) where people can come to after graduations from Seton Hall, Rutgers Law, and the local high schools. We are going to piggyback off what’s happening at the Prudential Center in terms of concerts and sporting events,” says restauranter Joshua Suggs
Adding to the novelty of businesses downtown is Sweet Jeans Macaron & Coffee Bar. Remodeling empty space at the office building housed at 494 Broad Street, Sweet Jeans is building out a 2,000+ square foot cafe and community space specializing in family-friendly events and fresh pastries. “We’re hoping to do some fun pastry classes or baking; make French macarons; make pasta, and have family-style suppers together,” explains Michele Vaccari Harriott, who has lived in Newark for 34 years, as well as her 101 year-old grandmother who still lives in the North Ward section of town. “We want to make it fun and exciting for everybody, not just a 7 am to 2 pm corporate crowd. We’re definitely looking to make some memories after hours.”
“These entrepreneurs are diverse, local, and prepared to offer quality amenities to our residents, students, and workers,” said Marcus T. Randolph, President and CEO of Invest Newark. “They are investing in our downtown core, and we are proud to be able to invest in them and their dreams. Powered by our commitment to innovation and love for our community, we are creating an ecosystem that will shape the future of Newark for generations to come.”
Look Who’s Expanding in Newark
Ten small businesses including Consigliere, Delta’s, and Sweet Jeans have been awarded the Retail Reactivation grant. Invest Newark plans to announce another round of recipients this summer. Here are a few other unique spaces that are expanding.
“The ES550 expansion embodies our commitment as founders to amplify opportunities for diverse founders whether in tech and innovation or entrepreneurship,” – Citi Medina (right) and Ralphie Roman (left), co-founders of EqualSpace
=Equal Space
The unique co-working offices at Equal Space are expanding thanks to aid from Audible’s Business Attraction Program as well as Invest Newark’s Retail Reactivation initiative. In addition to the flagship space in the modest, narrow, 8-story historical building at 89 Market Street, the co-founders of Equal Space opened a second location within 550 Broad Street, a swanky downtown office building with modern ceiling-to-floor windows in many of the suites. The co-working spaces primarily serve entrepreneurs of color, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Going beyond just a place with a desk, chair and a conference room, Equal Space offers podcast studios, and multimedia facilities. The owners are working on a “state-of-the-art event space” for 300 people.
“I chose to expand and grow Casa de Flora Bar in Newark because this vibrant city, rich in character and culture, is experiencing rapid growth and offers a diverse community that perfectly aligns with our vision.” – Maritza Walton
Casa De Flora Bar
Owned by Maritza Walton, Casa De Flora is a one-of-a-kind flower shop and café all in one. The first location is nestled in the heart of Bloomfield, New Jersey, where the owner sells floral bouquets, as well as coffee, mocktails, pastries, salads, sandwiches, and soups. The cafe is seeking to expand to downtown Newark. The second location of Cafe De Flora Bar will offer private events and host Sip & Clips (a floral therapy experience where you build your own bouquet at the bar and sip on wine,
champagne, or mocktails).
“This grant is about more than money. It’s an opportunity to bring a real jolt of energy to this city, to build an excitement and enthusiasm that will help revitalize downtown—we are the heart of Newark.” -Walter J. Green, III, majority owner
Uncle Willie’s Wings
Uncle Willie’s Wings is such a community favorite that it is now expanding to a third location. Owned by Newark resident Walter “Uncle Willie” Green, this wing shop is in the corporate plaza of the Junction at Gateway as well as in the neighborhood on Bergen Street. With the Retail Reactivation grant, Green is looking to open another retail location.
Reporting by Jason Green, Joscelyne Quiridumba, and Mahima Aktar
