Local Business

Aldi Moving to Former Brick Foodtown Site as Construction Begins

by
Daniel Nee
August 19, 2021

Construction begins at the former Foodtown lot in Brick Township, Aug. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Construction has begun on what will become the home to a sports dome and retail complex where the former Foodtown supermarket once stood in Brick Township. The latest news on the site, however, is a bit of a come-full-circle scenario – a supermarket will be a part of the new shopping plaza.

Plans are solidified to build the sports dome in the rear of the property and retail and restaurant buildings in the front. The future occupants of the front-facing buildings have been unknown, aside from rumors, but at least one is now decided.

Construction begins at the former Foodtown lot in Brick Township, Aug. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

“The one thing they confirmed is that it’s definitely an Aldi,” said Mayor John Ducey. “They are moving out of the spot where they are now, near Bonefish. It’s going to be a brand new, stand-alone building.”

Aldi, the German supermarket conglomerate with over 11,000 locations across the world, has long done business in town at The Shops at Brick, a plaza on Route 70 which also houses the aforementioned Bonefish Grill restaurant as well as Big Lots and several smaller local businesses.

There was no word on what might replace Aldi at The Shops at Brick.

Back at the development site, Ducey said management of the sports dome portion, known as the Brick Superdome, has decided to build a separate building on its portion of the property that will house basketball courts. Another area will offer beach volleyball. The complex as a whole is expected to host a wide array of sports venue setups as well as space for parties and wellness services.

Rounding out the front portion of the property will be a third building that, in renderings, appears to resemble a bank. No tenant has been confirmed, however. A fourth space will host a restaurant with a liquor license – the type or name of restaurant, too, has not yet been confirmed.

Construction begins at the former Foodtown lot in Brick Township, Aug. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Construction has been moving along quickly, with crews having completed tearing up the massive amount of asphalt and concrete that once made up the former Foodtown’s parking lot, foundational areas and loading docks.

“They started ripping things up about three days after the closing,” Ducey said.