Outsiders can make all the jokes they want about us Jersey Girls and our obsession with malls. Behind every joke, however, is some truth and ours is that OK yeah, we’ve got some pretty amazing malls within the borders of our small-but-mighty state and we’re happy to take full advantage as often as possible. And for those of us who live in and around Bergen County, we also happen to be within close range of the grandest mall in the land: Westfield Garden State Plaza, home to every retailer, restaurant, and stellar service we could possibly need. The coolest part? GSP keeps getting better, treating us to the new additions we’ve been hoping for and some we didn’t even realize we needed. Here’s the latest shopping scoop.
Two big-time brands are making Garden State Plaza the home of their first NJ locations. Both MCM, maker of logo-covered bags, shoes and accessories with a cult-following; and the socially-conscious Warby Parker, the affordable designer eyewear brand that gives a pair to someone in need for each pair it sells, are becoming mall residents. Warby has actually already moved in and (bonus!) will also be selling children’s glasses.
Beauty lovers have plenty of primping to look forward to with the openings of Forever 21’s millennial-focused beauty shop Riley Rose (think an uber-youthful Sephora big on sensory-overload); Rituals..., a European bath and beauty line that sells stuff like scented candles, fragrance sticks, and mineral make-up; and Nature Collection, which offers all-natural luxe brands like Whoo, O Hui, and The Face Shop all in one place. Also look for and MOD Mouth, compete with a “Brilliant Bar” for easy teeth whitening as well as straightening services.
And there a few fashion and jewelry adds on the horizon too with a brand-new Kay Jewelers location, men’s just-the-right-length-shirt retailer Untuckit, and the comfort-focused Lou & Grey (just in time for snuggling-on-the-sofa season).
And finally, for when you’re hungry (which everyone is by the end of a serious shopping outing unless you’re superhuman or something), a slew of new food concepts are coming our way including beloved burger joint Five Guys, healthy Med-inspired Hummus Grill, Pokeworks, and California Pizza Kitchen’s brand-new concept.
Summer’s over and we’re inevitably going to be spending more time indoors, but who said it had to be at home, anyway? See you at the mall ...
All new additions will be opening this year, keep checking the website for updates!
Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
