The Eleventh New Jersey · Congressional District 11 Morris · Essex · Passaic
The Eleventh

Rockaway

Rockaway sees industrial sale and new retail openings

A major shallow-bay facility changes hands while Aldi opens a second store and Purity Water expands its franchise presence in Rockaway.


JLL Capital Markets announced on July 10, 2026 that it completed the sale of an industrial property located at 385 Franklin Avenue in Rockaway. The transaction involved LM Real Estate Partners as the seller and NorthBridge Partners as the buyer for this shallow-bay facility.

The building covers a total area of 81,000 square feet and operates with a multi-tenant layout designed for warehouse and distribution needs. It currently houses eleven tenants across an average suite size of 7,400 square feet within its flexible loading configurations.

Managing Directors Nicholas Stefans and Jason Lundy along with Senior Analyst Luke Ceccoli led the JLL Capital Markets team that represented the seller in this deal. The property features twenty-two-foot clear heights and includes thirteen dock doors to support logistics operations for various users.

Strategic location drives investment interest

The asset benefits from its proximity to major transportation corridors, sitting less than one mile from Route 46 and just 2.5 miles from Interstate 80. This connectivity allows for efficient distribution throughout Northern New Jersey and the broader New York metropolitan area.

Nicholas Stefans noted that shallow-bay industrial properties in Northern New Jersey continue to attract significant capital as investors recognize demand durability. He stated that local distribution, light manufacturing, and specialty logistics users are driving this sustained interest in the market sector.

Local grocer expands with second location

Aldi is set to open its second supermarket in Rockaway at 327 Mount Hope Avenue with a grand opening scheduled for June 25. The value-focused grocer plans to mark the event with giveaways and prizes for early visitors on that day.

The first two hundred customers will receive a gift card worth up to $100 along with a free tote bag filled with Aldi brand products during the festivities. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place at 8:45 a.m. as part of the opening activities.

Founded in Germany sixty-four years ago, Aldi has opened nearly 2,800 stores nationwide since its United States debut in 1976. The chain is known for offering low prices and private-label brands across categories including dairy, eggs, produce, meat, seafood, deli items, frozen foods, bakery goods, snacks, and cereals.

Water franchise grows from Rockaway roots

Purity Water announced on June 15 that it has completed multiple lease transactions to support its franchise expansion across North and Central Jersey. The company was founded in Rockaway in 2022 with a mission to make high-quality purified and alkaline water more accessible.

JLL Managing Director David Townes and Vice President Alana Friedman partnered with the brand to help drive this strategic growth through new retail leases. Purity Water kicked off its franchise program last year by targeting opportunities in high-traffic, grocery-anchored shopping centers.

The concept aims to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles while providing advanced water purification technology to neighborhoods. According to company data, one five-gallon reusable water bottle replaces about thirty-eight single-use bottles for consumers who use the service regularly.

David Townes remarked that Purity Water has created a concept that feels incredibly timely in today's retail environment beyond just offering better water quality. The brand combines its environmental mission with neighborhood convenience to appeal to modern shoppers looking for sustainable options.

Questions residents are asking

Where is the new Aldi store located and when does it open?

The second Aldi supermarket in Rockaway is located at 327 Mount Hope Avenue. It plans to mark its grand opening on June 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 8:45 a.m.

What are the details of the industrial property sale?

JLL announced the July 10 completion of the sale of an 81,000-square-foot facility at 385 Franklin Avenue. NorthBridge Partners acquired the asset from LM Real Estate Partners in a transaction led by JLL Capital Markets.

How does Purity Water help reduce plastic waste?

The company states that one five-gallon reusable water bottle replaces about thirty-eight single-use bottles. This approach helps customers rely less on disposable plastics while accessing purified and alkaline water locally.

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