Redevelopment at Blue Star Shopping Center Drives Leasing Momentum as Five Below Joins Lineup

WATCHUNG, N.J. – National value retailer Five Below has signed a 10,000-square-foot lease at Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung, marking another key milestone in the property’s high-impact transformation. The announcement follows the recent opening of a flagship ShopRite supermarket and the debut of brand-new Planet Fitness and KidStrong locations at the property.

Levin Management Corporation (LMC) has been Blue Star Shopping Center’s leasing and managing agent for decades, overseeing this long-established retail destination at 1702 Route 22 through multiple growth phases. This includes its recent, LMC-led multi-million-dollar redevelopment. The latest activity reflects sustained leasing at the 420,000-square-foot Somerset County retail hub.

E.J. Moawad, LMC senior leasing representative, negotiated the Five Below lease on behalf of property ownership. Jeffrey Howard of RIPCO Real Estate represented the tenant. “Five Below is one of the most active and successful retailers in its category, and we’re excited to add this location to Blue Star’s tenant mix,” said Moawad. “The company’s expansion into this center reflects the strength of the market and Blue Star’s appeal to top national brands.”

Five Below operates more than 1,800 stores across 44 states and continues to expand assertively. The brand delivers trend-driven, high-quality merchandise at unbeatable prices across eight signature categories: Style, Room, Sports, Tech, Create, Party, Candy, and New & Now. Designed for tweens, teens, and value-conscious shoppers, the concept is a powerful traffic driver.