Audible transformed the ground floor of a prominent building in Newark, NJ—33 Washington Street—into a reimagined experience filled with curated
Audible transformed the ground floor of a prominent building in Newark, NJ—33 Washington Street—into a reimagined experience filled with curated retail, innovative programming and aesthetics, as part of Audible’s creative placemaking efforts in our global headquarters city of Newark. Opened in October 2025, The Pillars has become a destination and amenity for Newark locals, employees of local companies (including Audible), residents of neighboring cities, and Newark visitors. Three out of five retail spaces at The Pillars have already been leased and opened: Tansy, Pooka Pure & Simple, and HealHaus. We imagine The Pillars becoming one of the most iconic and celebrated retail and event destinations in Newark.
Retail tenants at The Pillars have the benefit of joining Audible’s multi-award winning Business Attraction program, which has successfully attracted over 30 businesses to Newark—ranging from smaller retailers to tech startups—by providing grant funding, relocation assistance, mentorship, networking opportunities, and more. By supporting businesses in relocating to or expanding within Newark, the program adds to the vibrancy of the city’s Harriet Tubman Square neighborhood and creates greater access and opportunities for founders who have historically faced barriers to access—including founders of color and women founders—along with small business owners seeking opportunities to expand into a burgeoning market.
The purpose of this Call for Retailers is to identify interested retailers that will work creatively and cooperatively with Audible to fill the remaining retail spaces at The Pillars. Audible serves as the leaseholder and all retailers will be subtenants. The retailers chosen by Audible will receive subsidized rental rates, a vanilla box fit-out, access to an Audible Business Attraction Program grant (eligible for up to $250,000 over two years, subject to signing a participation agreement covering the program’s terms and conditions), and hands-on Audible support, all within a community of thriving businesses.
Available spaces are:
~2,500-square-foot space with frontage on Washington Street
~4,500-square-foot space with access from within The Pillars’ central court space as well as outdoor access through an activated alleyway between The Pillars and the Newark Museum of Art.
There is also a basement area for storage accessible to each retailer for additional rent.
Initial sublease term: 3 years (subject to negotiation based on business plan)
Rent: Subsidized rate, negotiated based on business plan and retailer category
Security deposit or personal guaranty may be required
Retailers must carry general liability, property, and workers’ compensation insurance as specified by Audible
Signage: Subject to Audible’s design review and approval process; exterior signage rights available
Operating hours: Minimum hours of operation will be established in coordination with The Pillars programming schedule
Permitted Use Restrictions
Audible is seeking retailers that complement The Pillars vision and the surrounding neighborhood. The following categories will not be considered:
National chain retailers or franchises
Liquor-primary establishments (restaurants or cafés with ancillary alcohol service are welcome)
Businesses that conflict with Audible’s brand values or community commitments
As a prospective retailer, you see and understand the vision of The Pillars, want to be part of Newark’s revitalization, consider the residents, visitors and employee base as your target customers, and see the value of collaborating with Audible. You have experience curating boutique experiential activations, understand that today’s retail is more destination and experience-focused, and you value local residents as much as you see the potential in attracting visitors to the city.
Commitment to sign a sublease with Audible, with estimated delivery of the vanilla box space from Audible by September 1, 2027. The vanilla box space does not include tenant bespoke buildout or FF&E and set up.
Have at least one existing retail operation or regular pop-ups with consistent customer demand that necessitates a dedicated location
Strong track record of success; existing establishment must be profitable for at least three years
Provide P&Ls and financial statements for, at minimum, the most recent three years (which exhibits a measure of success acceptable to Audible)
Audible will be providing space as a vanilla box (HVAC, sprinklers, electrical outlets, undistributed water service, overhead lighting, finished floors, waffle ceiling, and code-compliant exit signage). Given this level of base building completion, additional retailer-specific buildout is expected to be minimal and limited to FF&E (furniture, fixtures & equipment).
Deep understanding of the local market (or similar markets)
Business plan for operations aligned with the design (e.g., capacity), neighborhood, and marketing
Newark is an emerging epicenter for art, culture, entertainment, and business—it truly has it all. Home to top talent, robust transportation infrastructure, and the headquarters of many corporate anchors and emerging innovation companies, New Jersey’s largest city is one of the most diverse, vibrant, and connected urban centers in the United States.
As one of America’s oldest cities, a hub of invention, commerce, and migration whose story is enduring and always evolving, its downtown is a vibrant district of business, arts, entertainment, dining, and retail. In 2021, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced the renaming of Washington Park as Harriet Tubman Square and unveiled plans to create an Arts and Education District that would enhance cultural and economic opportunity for Newark residents and businesses. With the recently renamed Harriet Tubman Square (formerly Washington Park) at the center, heralding the next wave of the city’s renaissance, the area surrounding 33 Washington Street is in the front yard of several of Newark’s key cultural and civic institutions and major employers, the epicenter of a resurgence fueled by technology-job creation, arts, and educational opportunity. Bordering the square are the Newark Museum of Art, which is embarking on a major new development that includes retail, maker space, galleries, and new housing units; the grand, centuries-old Newark Public Library; Rutgers Business School; Berkeley College; and Audible’s global headquarters. New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is located just one block south and is undergoing a massive seven-acre redevelopment. With the Newark Museum of Art and NJPAC development projects, Harriet Tubman Square is driving the revitalization of Newark’s downtown.
Join neighbors like the Newark Museum of Art, Rutgers Graduate Student Residence, and Audible, right in Newark’s lively central business district. Reach Manhattan in just 17 minutes via NJ Transit—you’ll be a quick walk from Broad Street station, Newark Penn, and the Newark light rail. Easily access major highways: I-280, Route 21, NJ Turnpike, and the Garden State Pkwy. Less than 10 miles from New York City.
Newark Liberty International Airport is less than 20 minutes away by car: Daily non-stop flights to more than 95 US cities and 79 international destinations.
Trains: All Northeast Corridor and Acela trains stop in Newark Penn Station, the midpoint between Boston and Washington, DC; NJTransit offers access to all of New Jersey and New York City; PATH Train; Newark Light Rail
Highways: NJ Turnpike, Rte. 280/80, Garden State Parkway, Rte. 98. (4 hours or less to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston, and Washington, DC)
Port Newark: The original container port; one of the largest in the world and the largest on the East Coast.
Residents reflect the diversity of the city and state: Students who attend nearby schools, employees of corporate anchors, startups, retailers and more, and generations-old Newarkers who live in the Historic James St. Commons. The Downtown District is currently home to more than 13,000 residents with over 5,000 new residential units in the development pipeline.
From 2010-2020, the Newark Downtown District population increased by 37%. Nearly 1 in 5 downtown residents is between the age of 25–44. The median age is 35.
From 2010 to 2020, residents age 25–34 increased by 45% in the Downtown District, the largest of all age groups. Young professionals and families, age 25–44, will comprise a large portion of the expected population increase by 2026.
There are over 60,000 full-time students and faculty in Newark, making it the fifth largest college town on the East Coast
Average household income in Arts & Education District (where the Pillars is located): $101K
Selected retailers are expected to be active participants in The Pillars community and the broader Newark ecosystem. This includes:
Participation in Pillars-organized events and programming (i.e. mixers, contests, citywide tours and initiatives)
Collaboration with neighboring retailers and Audible on seasonal activations
Engagement with the local community, including hiring local Newark residents when feasible
Willingness to participate in Audible employee engagement and corporate social responsibility initiatives (i.e. employee shopping incentives, community programs)
As a participant in Audible’s Business Attraction Program, selected retailers may be eligible for the following support:
Grants: Eligible up to $250K+ in grant funds
Audible Bucks: $200/month for three months for each full-time employee
Live Local Incentive: $500/month for 12 months for full-time employees living in Newark
AWS Credits: $10,000 over 12 months
Small Business Assistance and Support: Operational support and mentorship resources
Marketing support: Inclusion in The Pillars marketing and promotional efforts
Applications will be evaluated based on the following factors:
Business viability: Demonstrated profitability, sound financial management, and realistic projections for the Newark location
Curational fit: Alignment with The Pillars vision, complementarity to existing and planned tenants, and contribution to the overall retail mix
Community alignment: Understanding of and commitment to the Newark community, local hiring plans, and neighborhood engagement
Financial capacity: Ability to fund fit-out costs and sustain operations through the initial lease period without over-reliance on program incentives
Operational readiness: Realistic timeline and plan to open and operate within the required timeframe
Required Application Materials
Your application must include the following:
Completed application form (via link above)
Business plan for the proposed Newark location, including concept description, target customer profile, and marketing strategy
Profit & Loss statements for the most recent three fiscal years
Balance sheet and cash flow statements for the most recent three fiscal years
Proof of existing retail operations (e.g., lease, photos, press coverage)
Preliminary fit-out budget and design concept
Proposed timeline from sublease execution to opening day
References: At least two commercial references (e.g., landlord, supplier, or business partner)
Evidence of available capital or financing commitment sufficient to cover fit-out costs and initial operating expenses
Note: Audible may request additional materials as part of our due diligence process. Applicants who advance to later stages should be prepared to provide supplemental documentation upon request.
Confidentiality
All application materials, including financial statements and business plans, will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of evaluating your candidacy for this opportunity. Materials will not be shared with third parties without the applicant’s prior written consent.
Once your application is reviewed and if moved to the next stage, the Audible team will conduct interviews, business, financial and legal due diligence. Selection is subject to Audible’s discretion.
Site Visits
Prospective applicants may request a site visit to view the available spaces. To schedule a visit, please email newarksquared@audible.com with the subject line “Site Visit Request” and your preferred availability.
Questions? Please email newarksquared@audible.com
Audible, an Amazon company, is a leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering customers a new way to enhance and enrich their lives every day. Audible.com content includes more than 900,000 audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals. Audible serves millions of members in over 180 countries with content in more than 50 languages; members download nearly 4 billion hours of content annually and listen across a wide range of supported devices.
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