Brick Township New Business Spotlights January 2026

Something significant is happening at Brick Plaza — and across Brick Township more broadly. In the span of just a few months, the township has attracted multiple brands choosing Ocean County for their first New Jersey or first regional location. That's not coincidence. It reflects a deliberate read by national and regional operators that Brick Township's demographics, traffic counts, and year-round population make it one of the strongest commercial markets on the Jersey Shore.

I've been working with buyers and sellers in Brick Township for over 21 years. The level of commercial investment coming into this community right now is among the most concentrated I've seen. Here's a look at the openings and signings generating the most attention as we head into 2026.

1. Tim Hortons — 1 Lanes Mill Road

February 2026 brought Ocean County its first Tim Hortons, opened at 1 Lanes Mill Road in Brick. The Canadian coffeehouse chain — known for its drip coffee, Timbits, breakfast sandwiches, and value pricing — has been expanding aggressively into New Jersey, and Brick is its first foothold in Ocean County.

For residents who have driven north to find a Tim Hortons, this is a welcome addition. For the township, it signals that Brick's commuter and year-round population is large enough and consistent enough to support a brand that typically clusters near dense suburban corridors. First-in-county openings like this one tend to draw customers from surrounding towns in the early months, bringing additional commercial energy to the surrounding area.

2. Dae Gee Korean BBQ — Brick Plaza

Dae Gee Korean BBQ opened in early 2026 at Brick Plaza near Supercuts, making Brick the site of the chain's first New Jersey location. Korean barbecue — where diners cook marinated proteins on tabletop grills — has grown from a niche dining experience into a mainstream draw, and Dae Gee has built a devoted following across its existing locations.

Landing the first New Jersey outpost of any regional chain matters commercially and culturally. It draws curious diners from across Ocean County and beyond, generates opening-week buzz, and establishes Brick Plaza as a dining destination rather than just a convenience stop. For longtime Brick residents, it's another sign that the township's commercial landscape is evolving in a meaningful direction.

3. J. Crew Factory & Gap Factory — Brick Plaza

J. Crew Factory and Gap Factory have both signed leases at Brick Plaza, adding name-brand apparel retail to a center that has been focused primarily on food and fitness in recent years. Factory outlet versions of these brands offer quality at accessible price points — and their presence at Brick Plaza broadens the center's appeal beyond dining, drawing a different category of shopper to the property.

For the township, apparel anchors contribute to longer dwell times and more varied trip purposes. Shoppers who come for J. Crew may stay for lunch at CAVA or Dae Gee. That kind of cross-traffic strengthens the entire center's commercial ecosystem.

Coming Soon to Brick Plaza

The pipeline doesn't stop with what's already open. Two additional concepts are confirmed and in progress:

Gregory's Coffee — the New York-based specialty coffee brand has signed on to open its first Ocean County café at Brick Plaza, positioned next to CAVA. Known for single-origin coffees and a modern café environment, Gregory's will create a natural daytime anchor alongside the existing dining tenants.

Cuzin's Seafood & Clam Bar — slated to take over the space previously occupied by Tre and Rosalita's, Cuzin's brings a seafood-focused concept to a township that sits at the water's edge. The addition fits naturally into Brick's bayfront and lagoon identity, giving the plaza a locally grounded dining option that speaks directly to the Shore character of the surrounding community.

The Bigger Picture: Brick Plaza's Transformation

Taken together — CAVA, Wonder Food Hall, Tim Hortons, Dae Gee Korean BBQ, J. Crew Factory, Gap Factory, and more on the way — what's happening at and around Brick Plaza represents the most concentrated wave of commercial investment this corridor has seen in years.

Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns Brick Plaza, has been executing a deliberate repositioning of the center. The tenant mix that's emerging is more diverse, more current, and more reflective of what today's Ocean County resident actually wants than what the center offered five years ago. That kind of landlord intention, backed by national tenants willing to commit leases, is a durable signal — not a momentary blip.

In my experience, sustained commercial investment of this kind correlates with residential confidence in the surrounding neighborhoods. Buyers who prioritize lifestyle amenities close to home are paying attention to what's happening in Brick right now.

Explore more about what makes Brick Township a strong fit for buyers and sellers in our Brick community overview.

About the Author

Joseph E. Haberl is the Broker-Owner of Our Shore Real Estate LLC, serving Ocean County, New Jersey for over 21 years. With deep expertise in Toms River, Brick Township, Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, and Lavallette, Joe helps buyers and sellers navigate the Jersey Shore real estate market with confidence.

📍 Our Shore Real Estate LLC 2008 Route 37 E Suite 12, Toms River, NJ 08753 ☎️ Office: 732-244-1774 📱 Mobile: 732-674-3149 📧 jhaberl@ourshorerealestate.net 🌐 OurShoreRealEstate.net 📜 NJ Broker License #0452408

⚖️ Equal Housing Opportunity

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Township a good place to buy a home in 2026 given all the new development?

The wave of commercial investment hitting Brick Plaza and the surrounding corridors in early 2026 reflects sustained confidence in Brick Township as a residential market. When national brands like Dae Gee Korean BBQ choose Brick for their first New Jersey location, or when Gregory's Coffee commits to its first Ocean County café, they're validating the buying power and stability of the community's resident base. For homebuyers, this translates to an expanding amenity landscape that strengthens the lifestyle case for living here full-time. Contact Joseph Haberl at Our Shore Real Estate LLC to discuss current inventory and how neighborhood proximity to these corridors affects pricing.

How does the Brick Plaza redevelopment affect home values in surrounding neighborhoods?

Commercial revitalization at a major shopping center like Brick Plaza tends to reinforce residential demand in the neighborhoods closest to it — particularly those within a short drive of Cedar Bridge Avenue and Route 70. A more diverse, higher-quality tenant mix attracts more shoppers, creates more activity, and signals that the township is a desirable place to invest. Homeowners in Bay Harbor, Herbertsville, and the neighborhoods flanking the Brick Plaza corridor have historically benefited when the center attracts strong tenants. Our Shore Real Estate LLC can provide a current market analysis for any Brick Township neighborhood you're evaluating.

What makes Brick Township stand out compared to other Ocean County towns for buyers?

Brick Township offers a balance that's hard to find elsewhere in Ocean County: bayfront and lagoon neighborhoods for boating buyers, established adult communities for downsizers, affordable single-family options for families, and now an accelerating commercial base that rivals communities twice its size. The ongoing Brick Plaza transformation — adding Korean BBQ, specialty coffee, seafood, and apparel alongside CAVA and Wonder Food Hall — means residents increasingly have access to dining and retail options that previously required a drive to Monmouth County or the Jersey Shore's northern towns. Joseph Haberl has worked across Brick Township's full range of neighborhoods for over 21 years and can help identify the right fit for your goals.

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