This Jersey Shore Mall’s Welcomed Facelift Will Never Look…

A few weeks ago, there was word that the Freehold Raceway Mall was looking to put an entertainment center in one of their vacant anchor store locations.

The store space in question was once occupied by Sears and was in its heyday the main anchor locals and others flocked to one of the largest malls at the Jersey Shore.

Listen to Rich DeSisto weekdays from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. on 105.7 The Hawk and download our free 105.7 The Hawk app.

After a February 2021 Planning Board denial of a proposed bowling and amusement facility, a June 29, 2021 vote from the Freehold Township committee just opened the door.  Now that the zoning rules have changed it’s possible the original proposal to bring Round1 Bowling and Amusement to the mall.

Mayor Thomas Cook chimed in and said,

"They now have the power to do a bunch of things that they were limited to do before.”

Those “things” could include a bowling alley, indoor roller rink, arcade games, health care facilities, and breweries.  They also could include medical offices, health care offices, urgent care, and even space dedicated for satellite college and university campuses.

Frank Lucia, the senior property manager of the mall has said,

"These changes open up opportunities for complimentary uses such as entertainment and fitness, grocery, office, co-working, medical and really other mixed uses which helps support our core retail business.  Our core business is retail and will continue to be retail but the vacancies and now the ordinance changes allow us to bring complimentary uses to the campus to support those retailers.”

In addition to the space vacated by Sears getting filled, a really good reliable source indicated that the former Nordstrom’s and Lord & Taylor locations will be the home of new businesses as well.

Stay tuned!  (and keep your eyes open)