According to North Plainfield-based Levin Management Corporation’s (LMC’s) 14th annual Retail Outlook Sentiment Survey, store managers have entered 2025 with a favorable attitude fueled by strong annual and holiday sales volume. In fact, three quarters (75.7%) of respondents report they are optimistic about performance in the coming year – a new survey high.
“Tenants in our leased and managed shopping center portfolio had a strong year, with our survey findings mirroring reports of record retail spending and better-than-anticipated holiday seasonal sales in 2024,” noted LMC’s Matthew K. Harding, chief executive officer.
More than three quarters (76.1%) of LMC poll participants say their 2024 annual sales reached the same or a higher level than 2023; just under three quarters (73.6%) indicate same-or-higher holiday sales year over year. These percentages compare to survey trailing averages of 61.6% and 66.0%, respectively.
Just as positive outcomes beget positive outlooks, embracing change and creating new opportunities for customer engagement are keys to ongoing success in the retail environment, Harding noted. To that end, about 45% of LMC survey participants say their company recently adapted – or has plans to adapt – its business model to maintain or improve competitive advantage.
“Retailers are working to meet consumers where they are today – and that means creating a distinctive brick-and-mortar shopping experience,” Harding noted. “Our survey respondents ranked customer service and support, and the social experience of in-person shopping as the top two advantages of physical retail over its ecommerce counterpart. Their most popular enhancements fit in that context.”
72.3% of adapters are placing more training and focus on customer experience.
36.9% of adapters are increasing their emphasis on community programs and engagement.
32.3% of adapters are working on new or updated customer loyalty/incentive programs.
The survey also asked retailers about the adoption of artificial intelligence technology. “While AI plans didn’t make our ‘top three’ adaptations in this year’s Outlook survey, the shift in that data point is well worth a mention,” Harding said. “In our 2024 Outlook, 14.6% of our adapters reported new plans involving AI. This year that number more than doubled, jumping to 29.2%. We look forward to taking a deeper dive into that topic in our Mid-Year Survey, which focuses on technology in the retail space.”
Industry Drivers and Growth Plans For the second consecutive year, inflation/rising prices topped the list of drivers LMC survey participants feel will have the biggest impact on their retail or service business over the next 12 months. At the same time, inflationary increases seem to be easing somewhat, with 24.2% of respondents saying they did not raise prices last year, up from 22.5% and 18.8%, respectively, in LMC’s two prior Outlook surveys. Of those who did raise prices in response to inflation last year, 25.4% expect to raise prices further in 2025, down from 30.4% and 34.7% in the two prior Outlook surveys.
The economy/consumer confidence ranked second among anticipated 2025 industry drivers. Shifting consumer expectations and shopping patterns came in third, displacing supply chain/inventory availability, which had been a “top three” driver since 2022.
LMC’s Outlook survey also asked tenants about their plans for growth in the coming year. In the latest poll, 40.9% of respondents say they are hiring; 17.0% anticipate expanding, renovating or reformatting their location; and 22.0% expect to open additional locations in 2025.
As a new presidential administration takes the helm in Washington, the nation finds itself at a pivotal economic juncture. The priorities emerging in federal discussions – supporting innovation and artificial intelligence, lowering taxes for businesses, reducing burdensome regulations, bolstering energy independence and supporting small businesses – should resonate deeply with New Jersey’s leaders. These initiatives are not partisan rallying cries; they are pragmatic solutions to the challenges that hinder economic growth and opportunity in the Garden State.
They are also ones the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce has been talking about for quite a while.
New Jersey’s economy has long been one of contrasts. While we are home to thriving industries, an educated workforce, and a strategic location, we also contend with high taxes, regulatory red tape, and an affordability crisis.
These factors weigh heavily on residents and businesses alike. As the Murphy administration enters its final year and gubernatorial candidates begin outlining their visions, aligning with the economic priorities being discussed in Washington could offer a clear path forward.
Reducing the tax burden is critical. Businesses of all sizes – from family-owned enterprises to major corporations – cite taxes as a key impediment to growth. Extending the 2017 corporate and small business tax cuts, a topic of national discussion, would provide much-needed relief. For New Jersey, where the corporate tax rate ranks among the highest in the nation, this is especially urgent. Lower taxes would incentivize businesses to invest, hire, and expand, fostering a more competitive economic environment.
Equally important is the need to streamline regulations. Entrepreneurs and small business owners, the backbone of our economy, often struggle with bureaucratic hurdles that delay projects and drive up costs. Simplifying these processes – without compromising safety or accountability – would empower innovation and enable businesses to thrive.
Energy policy also demands attention. Discussions in Washington about reducing dependence on foreign energy while protecting the environment offer a blueprint for New Jersey. As a state vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, New Jersey should continue to champion renewable energy initiatives. However, a balanced approach that includes domestic energy production, like natural gas, can provide affordability and stability for businesses and families alike.
The rise of artificial intelligence and technological innovation presents an enormous opportunity. By fostering an ecosystem that supports AI research, development, and application, New Jersey can position itself as a leader in the industries of the future. Investments in education, workforce development, and public-private partnerships will ensure that our state remains competitive in the global economy.
Perhaps most pressing is the need to support small businesses and entrepreneurs. These enterprises are integral to creating jobs and fostering community development. Expanding access to capital, reducing barriers to entry, and offering targeted support programs can ensure their success. Policies that encourage entrepreneurship will make New Jersey a magnet for innovation and opportunity.
Voters sent a clear message in November: they want change. They seek an economy that works for them, one that is more affordable and abundant with opportunities. Addressing these economic priorities is not just good governance – it’s a necessity for ensuring the prosperity of every New Jerseyan.
New Jersey’s leaders have an opportunity to rise to the occasion. By embracing policies that prioritize growth, innovation, and sustainability, we can set the stage for a stronger, more resilient economy. The time to act is now.
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The plastic bag ban left the state with 65k extra reusable bags, according to NJ.com.
President Trump nominated Senator Steinhardt to be US Attorney, according to NJ Globe.
NJ schools are looking to aid immigrant students who may face deportation, according to NJ Herald.
Superintendents warn that education cuts under President Trump could hurt NJ students, according to NJ Spotlight.
NJ Transit asked the engineers union to negotiate a a strike looms, according to NorthJersey.com.
A judge denied former Senator Menendez’s effort to get a new trial, according to NJ Globe.
George Norcross’ attorneys are back in court in the racketeering case, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. A judge questioned prosecutors as the defense requested the case be tossed, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The state may ask the Miss America pageant to return to Atlantic City, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Atlantic County will freeze hiring and seek a tax rate cut in the budget, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Middlesex College started a $126M campus project, according to NJ Biz.
A Monmouth County airport owner says greed over a Netflix studio is behind the county’s bid to take over, according to NJ Monitor.
Reps. Van Drew and Smith signaled support for President Trump’s birthright citizenship order, according to NJ Globe.
Mercury’s Mo Butler was appointed to NRS Board, according to ROI-NJ.
A Emerson poll shows a majority of Democrats and a plurality of Republicans are undecided six months away from the gubernatorial primaries; on the Democratic side, all candidates are within 3-points of each other, as Rep. Sherrill leads with 10%, with Rep. Gottheimer and former Senate President Sweeney tied with 7%; on the GOP side, Jack Ciattarelli garners 26% while Bill Spadea has 13%.
Rep. Gottheimer released his tax plan, with several tax cut and incentive proposals.
In LD23, Senator Steinhardt’s potential move to US Attorney would trigger a special election, according to NJ Globe.
In LD32, high-profile names are lining up in the primary, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Atlantic City, Mayor Small announced his re-election bid, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Camden, the city’ oldest house of worship faces an uncertain future, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The city continues to attack illegal parking, according to TAPinto.
In Franklin, two warehouses were proposed, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Lakewood, the BOE attorney wants in on the funding lawsuit, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Mendham, voters will decide on a $20M school referendum, according to the Daily Record.
In Morristown, Lekberg is running for mayor, according to Morristown Green. Mayor Dougherty announced his re-election bid.
In Paterson, four black BOE members were ignored for key spots, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Plainfield, the council held a contentious January business meeting, according to TAPinto. The council moved toward rent control, according to TAPinto.
In Wayne, the BOE is pressing the state for extra aid for special education, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Wildwood, barricades are being installed on the Boardwalk according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: In Parsippany, Bergen endorsed Barberio, in primary w/ Mussella; in Hoboken, Jabbour announced for mayor as Bhalla won’t seek re-election; in Jersey City, Akaezuwa announced council candidacy
Democratic state officials were largely subdued in their response to Donald Trump’s return to the White House, marking a stark contrast from eight years earlier when many were already stoking the resistance as he took office. But there’s little doubt that Democrats across the country will soon be fighting the new administration’s aggressive policy agenda on multiple fronts, most notably immigration and energy, sparking confrontations in the courts and beyond.
Six Flags Great Adventure has officially announced its plans for the upcoming 2025 season. Among those plans is the anticipated opening of their newest roller coaster, “THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity.”
President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including the man convicted of assaulting fallen New Jersey native Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. Julian Khater will be released from federal prison after he was sentenced to 80 months. Khater plead guilty to multiple charges of assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to injure an officer, among others. Prosecutors say Khater pepper sprayed multiple officers including Sicknick, who then died a day later.
As a new presidential administration takes the helm in Washington, the nation finds itself at a pivotal economic juncture. The priorities emerging in federal discussions – supporting innovation and artificial intelligence, lowering taxes for businesses, reducing burdensome regulations, bolstering energy independence and supporting small businesses – should resonate deeply with New Jersey’s leaders. These initiatives are not partisan rallying cries; they are pragmatic solutions to the challenges that hinder economic growth and opportunity in the Garden State.
Most American flags in New Jersey remained at half-staff on Monday as President Trump took the oath of office for an historic second non-consecutive term owing to the recent passing of former President Jimmy Carter; the flags remained at half-staff despite calls from Republicans to return the state’s flags to full-staff for at least Inauguration Day.
USA TODAY Network New Jersey Editorial Board, Asbury Park Press
History will look back on this era in Trenton as one in which the ruling Democrats decided that New Jersey’s bulwarks of transparency were of little consequence. Indeed, on the watch of Gov. Phil Murphy and his colleagues Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nicholas Scutari, we have seen a growing culture of indifference when it comes to preserving the institutions and mechanisms that provide the public with tools and access to the workings of their government at the municipal, county and statewide levels.
The whacky climate news continues with word that a winter storm has hit Red America, and it’s expected to dump heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from Texas to Florida, where they have no idea how to cope. They’re going to need help. So, I have a modest proposal: Democrats should oppose all aid to the affected region, unless the Republicans running those states change their policies. This is the new America.
The primary goal of a prosecutor is to bring offenders to justice. This work begins when a defendant makes his first appearance in court to hear the charges against him. But this process is frustrated when a defendant skips court.
Sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump called convicted Jan. 6 rioters “hostages” as he signed a sweeping pardon for 1,500 protesters, as well as commuted sentences for 14 convicts still in federal prison. Among those being released early, former New Jersey resident Roberto Minuta, a member of far-right group the Oath Keepers, who was convicted for his activities during the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Most of my workdays, I roam around the Capitol and congressional office buildings, interviewing members of Congress who represent New Jersey, talking with sources, and reporting and writing stories. Monday was not like most days. The man of the hour, of course, was now-President Donald Trump, sworn in for the second time in eight years to the nation’s highest office, and I was credentialed press for the inauguration.
How cold is it along the Jersey Shore this week? So cold that the Navesink River is freezing over. “So far this month it’s the coldest the January we’ve had since 2015,” said Mike Lee, lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office, whose focus area covers most of New Jersey. “And it’s probably going to get colder.”
A ruling will be issued about Drew University’s challenge to Madison’s affordable housing plan Thursday, Jan. 29, according to Friends of the Drew Forest Co-chair Lydia Chambers.
It was anything but a typical Wednesday morning for Ed Durr as he hit the road to deliver furniture and mattresses. It was a MAGA day, the greatest of them all, and Durr was beaming into a video camera mounted on his dashboard.
He sang out at something like full volume to an audience of Facebook followers.
“Gooooooooooood morning America!…Congratulations to President Trump on an outstanding victory, proving once again: You can’t bankrupt him. You can’t imprison him. You can’t assassinate him. You can’t defeat him.”
Durr, a commercial truck driver from Gloucester County, made national headlines in 2021 when he won election to the state senate by upsetting incumbent Stephen Sweeney, one of New Jersey’s most powerful Democrats.
Even though he was defeated in his bid for reelection two years later, Durr is now running for governor, one of a handful of Republicans buoyed by Trump’s surprising strength in a deep-blue state that hasn’t voted for a GOP presidential candidate since 1988.
Photo: Shutterstock/Chip Somodevilla
For many Republicans like Durr, Trump’s victory is confirmation that New Jersey is turning red, and doing it quickly. Even though Kamala Harris won the state by 6 percentage points, Trump’s performance jumped dramatically compared to 2020, when he lost to Joe Biden here by 16 points.
Five New Jersey counties that voted for Biden in 2020 flipped to Trump, including traditional Democratic strongholds such as Passaic County. Even counties Harris carried saw droves of voters switching to Trump: Essex, Bergen, Hudson and Middlesex counties all saw double-digit swings to Republican.
Perhaps the scariest trend for Democrats: Huge swaths of New Jersey’s 2 million-strong Latino community voted for Trump, even as he campaigned on the mass deportation of illegal immigrants and their American-born children.
North Jersey towns with large Latino populations like North Bergen, Bayonne, West New York, Kearney and Secaucus saw large shifts to the GOP. Trump won the city of Passaic, which is more than two-thirds Latino, by 6 percentage points.
“There’s no question that the Democratic brand is not strong as it has been in the bluest areas of the country, and that includes New Jersey,’’ says Patrick Murray, the director of Monmouth University Polling Institute, which has charted public opinion in the state for the past 20 years.
“We’ve definitely seen some shifting from Democrat to Trump in areas that have significant Hispanic and African American populations,” Murray says. “But in New Jersey and in other states like New York, a lot of Democrats just sat on their hands and didn’t vote. So is that an endorsement of Donald Trump or a statement about Kamala Harris and the party in power?”
In the wake of Trump’s historic victory and the broadening of his support almost everywhere, New Jersey Monthly sought out a handful of mavens like Murray, as well as some leading political figures, to assess the new electoral landscape. Their insights suggest that, while Jersey Democrats and progressives are definitely in dangerous territory, the state is not turning as red as die-hard Trumpers like “Ed the Trucker” Durr would like.
For one thing, the experts point out, registered Democrats here have an edge of 900,000 over Republicans, as well as big structural advantages in heavily gerrymandered legislative districts. The state Legislature, as well as its congressional delegation, remains firmly in the hands of Democrats.
Photo: Shutterstock/Peter Serocki
Another fact diminishing the Trump boom: State data shows that voter turnout in New Jersey in November was the lowest ever recorded for a presidential election, with just 65 percent of the state’s 6.6 million registered voters casting ballots. The collapse in voter interest, especially among Democrats, suggests that Harris and her party were not offering what their base wanted to hear.
Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, says Harris simply didn’t talk enough about issues truly important to voters. While she was busy campaigning on abortion rights and warning about Trump’s threat to democracy, Rasmussen says, Harris ceded the pocketbook issues to the GOP.
“Were people concerned about abortion and democracy issues? Of course,” Rasmussen adds. “But a lot more people were concerned about stuff they saw as more front and center: affordability, property taxes, the high cost of car insurance. Things that move the needle for families.”
“New Jersey is an expensive place to live,” he says. “People want their public officials to do something about it.”
The election, Rasmussen adds, proved to be a wake-up call for Democratic party machines in North Jersey that have reliably turned out voters for decades. Losing more African American and Latino voters would make it harder for Democrats to prevail in this year’s gubernatorial race, he says, which is suddenly looking much more interesting.
“Hudson County has been a lazy machine for years,’’ he says. “They should be working with old-school shoe leather, block by block, family by family by family, house by house. But, with some exceptions, they’re just not doing it.”
One of the exceptions is Brian Stack, the longtime Union City mayor and Democratic state senator, whose get-out-the-vote work has become legendary. Every year, Stack gives away some 30,000 turkeys to constituents as he and his crew work the streets, ward by ward. “That’s the old-school way, but we’re watching it disappear,” Rasmussen says. “If Democrats want to reverse the trend and keep the governor’s office, they’re going to have to get back to it.”
At a time when almost every Republican politician of relevance is paying fealty to Donald Trump, one GOP player in Jersey will have none of it. State Senator John Bramnick, a stalwart member of the opposition in Trenton for 20 years, says his party will lose next year if it appeals only to MAGA voters in the belief New Jersey is turning red.
Bramnick, an amateur comedian who was voted by bar colleagues as the funniest lawyer in New Jersey, sees no joke in Trump’s threat to the Jersey GOP. New Jersey and its diverse, well-educated population, he argues, remains decidedly moderate.
Bramnick, who is seeking his party’s nomination in the governor’s race, recited a list of Republicans who have broken the Democratic voter-registration edge to win statewide office: Thomas Kean, Christine Todd Whitman, Chris Christie.
“What do those names have in common?” Bramnick asks. “They were all moderate, middle-of-the-road conservatives who placed practical good sense over some ideology. Their success tells me that people in New Jersey won’t ever elect a Trumper for governor.”
Despite Trump’s showing in 2024, public opinion polls over the years consistently show that New Jerseyans embrace a broad range of progressive policies, from the preservation of abortion rights to sensible limitations on gun ownership to gay marriage and legal marijuana.
“But people here also want lower taxes and less spending, and the sensible Republican who makes that case will win next year,” Bramnick says. “If we talk just about crazy Trump resentment stuff, we’ll lose.”
In the days leading up to the election, the race for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District drew serious national attention when Sue Altman, a former pro basketball player and progressive Democrat, appeared poised to unseat GOP scion Thomas Kean Jr., with the political control of the U.S. House in play.
Altman’s aptitude for taking on tough political fights, even with figures from her own party, like Camden County Democratic leader George Norcross, lifted her to prominence among reformers looking to shred New Jersey’s political-boss system.
In challenging Kean, Altman would have to win over voters across New Jersey’s Republican heartland, from Sussex County through Morris, Warren and Hunterdon. The district had also recently been redrawn, making it even more hostile to Democrats: Registered Republicans now held a 16,000-vote edge.
Altman ended up losing to Kean by some 5 percentage points. Today, she concedes the possibility that New Jersey may be undergoing a red shift. But she says the real puzzle is not why Trump did so well in Jersey, but how Democrats did so poorly.
“It wasn’t just that we lost some people who went from D to R,’’ she said in a phone interview about a month after the election. “It’s that the turnout for Democrats wasn’t the boon we expected in a presidential year. And I don’t know why that is.”
“I’ve learned there’s usually a rational reason people don’t exercise their right to vote, and it’s usually because they don’t feel they can make a difference,” Altman went on. “We have to find ways to make people feel like their votes matter.”
As her party retrenches in the wake of 2024’s Trump quake, Altman sees no easy way to reignite flagging Democratic voters. But the way forward, she says, will require a new spirit to fight and a willingness to take on conservative spin that tars too many progressives as dangerous socialists.
Democrats, Altman says, have grown too timid.
“If there’s any takeaway here, it’s that Dems have to develop an appetite for boldness and finally put on the shelf the kind of risk aversion that plagues us,’’ she says. “We have to run campaigns on our own terms, not on the terms of a narrative set by Fox News.”
While Democrats in New Jersey search for answers, emboldened Republicans will continue measuring the state for MAGA furniture and curtains. Many say Jersey is now a swing state and predict that the Trump-led GOP will take over Trenton in the next few years.
“No matter what way you look at this, Trump has changed the party forever,” says Mike Crispi, a South Jersey talk-show host and businessman who is considering a run for governor this year.
“There’s a brand-new coalition forming. You can see it in places like Passaic County. It’s Latinos, it’s working-class people, union members, it’s people who live in urban areas that have been blue forever. You draw 10 percent of new voters in Newark, Paterson, all over Hudson County, and you’ve got a new ball game.”
Jeff Pillets is a journalist based in Trenton who was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2008.
Michigan-based C3 Industries, a leading multi-state cannabis company, announced the opening of High Profile Cannabis Shop Somerdale, joining High Profile of Lakehurst as the company’s second retail location in New Jersey and 31st nationwide.
High Profile Somerdale is located at 4 N. White Horse Pike, Somerdale, directly next to the Wawa, and features easy access to ample parking. The new dispensary is now open and serving cannabis consumers 21 and older in-store, via curbside pickup, and through convenient drive-thru and online pre-order services starting today. A grand opening celebration where shoppers can take advantage of additional deals and discounts will be on a future date to be announced in January of 2025.
“The opening of High Profile Somerdale is an important milestone in our continued expansion across New Jersey,” said Vishal Rungta, President and cofounder of C3 Industries. “With the establishment of this new location in southwestern Jersey, we are better able to serve the region and contribute to the growth of the state’s cannabis industry. We are thrilled to become an integral part of the Somerdale community and offer residents an outstanding cannabis shopping experience.”
Somerdale, New Jersey is known as the “The Crossroads of South Jersey,” and is nestled between the communities of Hadden Heights, Lawnside, and Cherry Hill Township. High Profile Somerdale is located on Rt. 30 (N. White Horse Pike) only 15 minutes from the Cherry Hill Mall, and only 27 minutes from Center City Philadelphia, High Profile Somerdale is strategically located to serve communities in South Jersey and surrounding areas. Somerdale is also the birthplace of 76ers legend, Daryl Dawkins as well as the hometown of Philadelphia Flyers radio announcer, Tim Saunders.
“High Profile Somerdale boosts our retail presence in New Jersey, enabling us to reach a wider customer base through our exceptional service, diverse product range, and competitive pricing,” added Ankur Rungta, CEO and cofounder of C3 Industries. “Our new location provides a welcoming environment for both new and experienced consumers to discover a wide selection of top products at great prices.”
The new Somerdale dispensary boasts a knowledgeable, friendly staff dedicated to providing personalized recommendations and educational insights to both seasoned cannabis enthusiasts and first-time consumers.
Garwood, New Jersey, recently hosted a major film production at its local hotspot, Crossroads, a popular restaurant, bar, and music venue. The filming was for Song Sung Blue, a movie about a Neil Diamond cover band. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, two Hollywood A-listers, were in town to star in the film, which is inspired by a documentary focusing on tribute bands that perform Diamond’s iconic songs.
According to Garwood Mayor Jen Blumenstock, most of the movie’s scenes were filmed at Crossroads, adding an exciting touch to the local community. “Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson were in town filming a new movie, Song Sung Blue, based on a documentary about a Neil Diamond cover band,” she shared on her Facebook page. The filming also involved trailers stationed at the nearby Westwood, further amplifying the buzz around this exciting production in Garwood.
Garwood Police Chief Douglas Stoffer praised the professionalism of the production crew, sharing his positive experience with TAPinto Westfield. “The production team was a pleasure to work with,” he said. After two days of filming at Crossroads, the project wrapped up, with the police department expressing their gratitude for the smooth cooperation. Notably, Police Officer Eriksen had the opportunity to meet Hugh Jackman, who made a quick visit to say hello to the local officer before leaving the set. “Thanks for stopping by, Hugh!” the Garwood Police Department posted on Facebook.
This filming is just one of several recent productions in the region, showcasing New Jersey’s growing prominence in the film industry. In nearby Westfield, The Beast in Me, starring Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys, was filmed at Tamaques Park last month, while Cranford has also hosted numerous projects, including Mother’s Instinct with Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, and Dumb Money featuring Pete Davidson and Shailene Woodley.
Garwood, too, has become a key location for filmmakers, with Mayor Blumenstock noting that the town has big plans for the future. “NJ has become a huge player in the film industry,” she said, promising exciting developments to come. For now, locals and fans of the stars can reflect on the thrill of having such a high-profile production in their backyard.
New Jersey Locations in A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan Film Starring Timothée Chalamet
The upcoming film A Complete Unknown, which tells the story of Bob Dylan’s early rise to fame, is as much a tribute to New Jersey as it is to the music icon himself. Filmed across 20 towns and cities in New Jersey, the movie—starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan—brings to life the 1960s New York City and Newport, Rhode Island scenes, with the Garden State serving as a perfect backdrop to portray these iconic moments. Directed by James Mangold, the production transformed local diners, streets, and venues into key spots from Dylan’s early days, showcasing the state’s rich cultural history.
Filming took place from March to June, with the production team bringing to life some of the most important moments in the young musician’s career. New Jersey was essential in recreating the essence of the 1960s music scene. Here’s a breakdown of the notable Jersey spots you might catch in the film:
Hudson County
Pulaski Skyway and Route 139, Jersey City: Featured in a driving scene with Bob Dylan’s station wagon in 1961.
William J. Brennan Courthouse, Jersey City: Served as a federal courtroom in 1961.
Snapdragon Coffee & Social, Jersey City: Represented a Village coffee house in 1962.
Miss America Diner & White Mana Diner, Jersey City: Filming locations for a 1962 diner scene.
Efe’s Grill, Jersey City: Used to recreate the Kettle of Fish bar in 1965.
Hoboken
S&L Dental: Gerde’s Folk City in 1961, a key folk music venue.
Moran’s Pub, Hoboken: Transformed into McCann’s Bar and Restaurant for scenes from 1965.
1130 Bloomfield St., Hoboken: Chalamet’s character’s apartment, which represents Bob Dylan’s early living quarters.
Passaic County
Main Street, Paterson: Recreated Riverside Church, 1962.
Uceda Institute, Paterson: Served as a movie theater for 1962 scenes.
Essex County
Newark Symphony Hall: This venue stood in for a 1963 San Francisco concert.
1180 Raymond Blvd., Newark: Used to depict Columbia Records in 1961 and 1965.
Union County
Echo Lake Park, Mountainside: This beautiful park stood in for the Monterey Folk Festival in 1963 and the March on Washington that same year.
Ritz Theatre, Elizabeth: Filming location for Carnegie Hall and Town Hall scenes from 1963.
Warren County
952 Old School House Road, Blairstown: Used to depict Pete Seeger’s house in 1961-1962.
Cape May County
Perry Street and Beach Avenue, Cape May: Recreated Newport, Rhode Island streets from 1965, as well as scenes for the Viking Hotel and Providence Ferry Terminal.
With its vivid portrayal of a young Bob Dylan’s rise to stardom, A Complete Unknown not only highlights the musician’s journey but also showcases New Jersey’s integral role in that story. From Jersey City to Cape May, New Jersey’s diverse locations served as a rich, atmospheric canvas for the film, bringing the 1960s music scene to life while shining a light on the state’s unique contribution to the cultural movement.
Yesterday at the New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s annual Public Policy Forum held at the APA Hotel Woodbridge, several political pundits shared their thoughts on the fallout from the 2024 presidential election, while also looking ahead to New Jersey’s gubernatorial election in 2025.
In terms of the presidential election results, while Vice President Kamala Harris won New Jersey in 2024, Donald Trump was able to close the gap for Republicans, capturing 45.9% of the vote compared to Harris’ 51.8%. In 2020, President Joe Biden won New Jersey with 57% of the vote to Trump’s 41%.
Notably, four counties saw a voting turnout drop of 10% or more, including Burlington, Essex, Atlantic and Cumberland counties, though this is likely due to fewer mail-in ballots used in 2024.
When exploring why the election shook out the way it did, Briana Vannozzi, anchor, NJ Spotlight News, believes that a growing distrust in elected officials could have played a tangible role.
“In going around and talking to voters, particularly young voters on college campuses, we found there was a lot of anger behind some of the voting,” said Vannozzi. “Voters do not trust their elected officials. The number one question I get asked from folks is: ‘Where does all the money go?’ They don’t believe that their elected officials have their best interests in mind. I think [this lack of trust] is right there with affordability and polarization as a top issue driving voters.”
Daniel Bryan, president of Bryan Strategies Group, added that for him, sometimes the simplest answer is the correct one.
“We had a deeply unpopular incumbent president in Joe Biden, and [Kamala Harris] failed to separate herself from him. I think there were opportunities for her to distinguish herself from the president, but she chose not to, whether it was from loyalty or something else,” Bryan said.
Looking ahead to 2025, Alexandra Wilkes, attorney and Republican strategist, said that she believes the Republicans in New Jersey need to expand their messaging beyond just affordability and the general economy if they want to find success in 2025.
“They can’t run the same property tax campaign every single year,” she said. “While Republicans have often made the case for addressing affordability, it hasn’t been enough to advance them across the finish line. Republicans need to understand that people stay in New Jersey for various non-economic reasons such as staying close to family or for the state’s school systems. They need to speak to those people about the other issues that animate them. I think Donald Trump did that well this year when he spoke about immigration and taking away opportunities for girls in sports, for example. These were issues where Republicans were able to make great advances with people who weren’t necessarily even political.”
In terms of the Democrats’ strategy moving forward in the state, Ginger Gold Schnitzer, director of education and strategic initiatives, Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University, said that it will be interesting to watch the dynamic between how the Democrats in the Legislature will campaign, and how reflective will that be on how they govern between now and the 2025 election.
“I don’t know that these things are necessarily mutually exclusive,” said Schnitzer. “You can still battle Donald Trump, and you can still do things to help with affordability. There are a lot of issues to choose from.”
For example, she said that Democrats may choose to enact protections for various social issues or look at regulatory issues that don’t necessarily cost a lot of money.
“With the size of the budget last year, Democrats will be very conscious of what spending looks like between now and the election,” she said.
Bryan said he’d like to see the state take big swings at its affordability issue, citing things such as cutting in-state tuition in half at Rutgers, building more affordable housing, and improving daycare and senior care.
“Take big swings so that middle-class families can look at their income and say, ‘Wow this is a great income.’ That doesn’t happen in this state,” he said. “It is so difficult to raise a family in New Jersey. [Our officials] need to talk to young working families about what specifically they are going to do to make their lives better and more affordable.”
Commercial real estate services firm Levin Management Corp. has secured two leases with fitness brand Planet Fitness at shopping centers in Watchung and Middlesex. The New Hampshire-based franchise will join the tenant mix at Blue Star Shopping Center and Middlesex Corner, respectively; LMC serves as leasing and managing agent for both properties.
Planet Fitness committed to 21,850 square feet at Blue Star Shopping Center. The 420,000-square-foot retail destination on Route 22 is in the midst of a major, LMC-orchestrated redevelopment, with additional availabilities from 1,200 to 50,000 square feet. Senior Leasing Representative E.J. Moawad represented the landlord in the Planet Fitness lease negotiation, while Jack Chera of RIPCO served as the tenant broker.
At Middlesex Corner, Planet Fitness will fill half of the freestanding building formerly occupied by ACME supermarket at the Route 28/Bound Brook Road property. LMC Leasing Representative Ed Vasconcellos III negotiated the 15,500-square-foot transaction on behalf of property ownership. Raymond Villafana of Franchise Realty represented Planet Fitness. LMC currently is marketing the balance of the former supermarket space.
Both new locations will be franchisee-owned by the same experienced operator behind dozens of Planet Fitness gyms located in New Jersey and other markets. Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing operators of fitness centers in the world by number of members and locations.
According to Sidney Singer, LMC vice president of leasing, fitness concepts are active players in today’s retail landscape and significant traffic drivers for properties like Blue Star Shopping Center and Middlesex Corner.
“The last several years have seen an influx of boutique and affordable fitness concept leasing at LMC properties and nationwide,” he said. “Chains like Planet Fitness – those that provide an affordable, high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment – have proven particularly successful at engaging consumers.”
Fitness tenants also are healthy for retail centers. These sought-after staples bring people back to a property on a frequent basis, which benefits a shopping center’s entire co-tenancy. Moreover, the demographic profile of fitness consumers has become increasingly diverse; boutique and affordable concepts attract people of all ages looking for a community-centered fitness experience.
With more than 1,100 tenants throughout its leasing and management portfolio, LMC maintains a successful track record of arranging leases with prominent national and regional chains, in addition to regional and local retailers. This includes six Planet Fitness locations with these latest additions.
For seven decades, North Plainfield-based LMC has served as a trusted single-source commercial real estate services provider for institutional and private owners. Its diversified, retail-focused leasing and management portfolio includes 125 properties totaling more than 16 million square feet in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-35) trusts the principals in LD-35 will resolve the issues seemingly putting everyone in the Paterson-based district on a Democratic Primary collision course.
Paterson, of course, didn’t perform up to snuff for Democrats in the presidential election, and now the fascinating North Jersey city limps into a gubernatorial year with slate mates Sumter and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-35) at odds over the senate seat left behind by U.S. Rep.-elect Nellie Pou.
“My experience as an elected official going back to 2012 and serving on the Democratic State Committee going back to 2008, does show me that these things tend to work themselves out,” she said. “It’s not yet settled but I am hopeful, and I would be honored [to receive the backing of the Democratic Committee in LD-35].”
Both Sumter and Wimberly appear all in on the senate seat.
Like her colleague, Sumter doesn’t yet have a choice for governor at present, amid more adversarial optics between the Bergen-based U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (whose party chair, Paul Juliano, backs him) and U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who seems more likely – according to sources – to grab the backing of Sumter’s chair, Passaic County Democratic Committee Chairman John Currie.
“I like them all,” Sumter told InsiderNJ, when asked about whom she favors to succeed Governor Phil Murphy. “They’re all current servants and truthfully in this climate I’m grateful for them putting themselves out there. It’s not the best climate out there. It’s highly contentious and polarized.”
If Sumter arguably has an edge with party insiders for establishment backing on the strength of Chairman Currie’s friendship (in possibly a test in part of Currie’s strength as chairman currently), an insider did mention that he had heard Wimberly’s name in connection with lieutenant governor. Might he get offered the chance to serve in a cabinet (Sherrill’s, for example) in exchange for bowing out of the senate contest and supporting Sumter for the senate seat? The source made the observation as a purely speculative matter.
For his part, Wimberly shows no sign of taking his eyes off the senate seat, same as Sumter, in a larger atmosphere marked by cutthroat politics.
How did national politics become unglued, InsiderNJ asked the assemblywoman.
“Part of it is [President-elect Donald] Trump’s saturation of the media airwaves with a visceral message of everything being wrong with America versus what is right. On the Democratic side, we have done great work, but we need to connect closer with people, and that is where I am comfortable, in the community.”
Sumter described her disbelief on Election Night and its aftermath.
“I went through the stages of grief,” admitted the assemblywoman.
She attributed Passaic County going to Trump over Kamala Harris in part to a statement made by the Muslim/Palestinian community against the Democratic Part, and in part to Latino males deciding not to support the candidacy of the vice president. “There are smart voters out there, though, because in Passaic County, while Kamala Harris lost, and I would attribute that too to misogyny and sexism, our county commissioners won,” Sumter said.
Regarding her own candidacy for the state senate seat, Sumter said she wants people to remember “that I raised my family in the community. I want to remind them too of the work I do at a nonprofit hospital, in the areas of children’s aid and family services, treating addiction and mental health needs. My life’s work has been of service. I want them to remember that about me, that I do not do this for anything I can gain, but for the people. Legislatively, I want them to remember my work restoring the right to vote to persons on probation and parole, on improving access to healthcare as a member of the healthcare committee, passing New Jersey’s healthcare exchange system, and putting in place full funding and restoration for Paterson schools and Hinchliffe Stadium.”
Sumter said she continues to encounter many in her district who are saddened by the results of the presidential election.
“My faith helps me to stay rooted and love for my neighbor, that’s part of the Ten Commandments,” said the assemblywoman. “My value system sustains me, and while it can be frustrating to be in public life at times, I want to lend my voice in a positive and constructive way. I run into people all the time now, who are teary eyed and scared of the future. What gave me comfort in part was on the Thursday following the last. I was in Eva’s Village sitting next to [former U.S. Rep.] Charlie Rangel. He said America has been through tough times before, especially for black people. We will get through this. We will find comfort in those who share our value system and we will forge ahead. We will fight and we will live. We can’t be hopeless and helpless. He crystallized that for me – that and a good dose of church.”
A Message from President & CEO Tom Bracken
