Freshii joining tenants at Ironside Newark

Freshii, a fast casual eatery, has signed a lease for the Ironside Newark property in the city, according to developer Edison Properties.

The restaurant is expected to open in spring 2021 with a storefront on Edison Place, with direct access to the building’s north lobby atrium.

Newark-based Edison said in a news release that Freshii will occupy 1,829 square feet in the office property’s fourth retail space — alongside Halal Guys, SportsMed Physical Therapy and Oren’s Daily Roast.

“Freshii is the ideal tenant to join our retail space at Ironside Newark, complementing our growing array of food and beverage and specialty service tenants,” Lenny Lazzarino, senior vice president of leasing with Edison Properties, said in a prepared statement. “As Newark continues to reopen and kick-start its economy, Freshii will be a welcomed addition to downtown Newark, checking the box on another healthy alternative food option.”

Ironside Newark is located at 110 Edison Place, a former warehouse downtown that is now a 456,000-square-foot commercial and retail hub. The building is currently 76% occupied with tenants including candy maker Mars Wrigley Confectionary’s North American headquarters, design and architecture firm Ware Malcomb and others.

“In spite of the pandemic and current economic moment, it’s encouraging to see continued growth and expansion at Ironside Newark and for Edison Properties,” Allison Ladd, Newark’s director of economic & housing development, said in a statement. “Freshii will bring vibrancy and expanded food options to Newark’s growing downtown core, perfectly timed to meet the growing demands of Newark’s citizens and working professionals.”

Jason Pierson and Ryan Starkman of Pierson Commercial Real Estate represented Edison Properties in the lease deal, while Mike Testa and Matt Kenderian of Jeffery Realty represented Freshii.