Thrift store chain 2nd Ave. Value Stores to open in Union

Thrift store chain 2nd Ave. Value Stores will open in Union, North Plainfield-based Levin Management Corp. announced Thursday.

The free-standing store, which will be comprised of 40,000 square feet, will be located at the Union Shopping Center, according to LCM, the exclusive managing and leasing agent for the property.

2nd Ave. currently operates 10 stores throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The layout of its Union location was designed to serve as a prototype for future stores, according to George Baltasar, chief operating officer.

“In our experience, thrift customers aren’t necessarily loyal to a particular brand, but to thrifting in general,” he said. “Markets such as this one — already home to an established thrift store shopping base — are very attractive to us. We are extremely proud of our Union store and look forward to introducing 2nd Ave.’s easy, fun and efficient discount shopping experience to local consumers this fall.”

LMC’s Jordan Korris, a leasing representative, arranged the long-term lease.

“This property’s demographics, including a residential population of nearly 150,000 people within a three-mile radius, along with its accessibility, visibility and proximity to a popular Stop & Shop location created an ideal leasing scenario,” Korris said. “2nd Ave. Value Stores targeted this desirable market for expansion, and we are pleased to meet its needs at Union Shopping Center.”

The Union Shopping Center is within close access to the Garden State Parkway, Interstate 78 and Route 22.