20th century
In the 1960s, a township redevelopment agency combined various plots of land in Bridgewater, and then it declared the entire area blighted so that the land could be sold to one developer. [8] The tentative name of the development was the Golden Triangle Mall, [9] [10] later changed to Bridgewater Commons in 1974. [11]
Bridgewater Township signed a contract with The Hahn Company, a California-based mall-developer, in 1985. [8] The Prudential's real estate division joined the development project later. [8] [12]
In 1986, R.H. Macy Co. announced they would open a Macy's store in the shopping center, instead of the company's Bamberger's banner, as originally planned. [13] [14] The company was in the process of retiring the Bamberger's brand and converting its Bamberger's stores to its Macy's banner. [15] [16]
Bridgewater Commons opened on February 24, 1988, [17] [1] although Hahnes opened earlier, on February 13, and Macy's opened on February 14. [18] Its anchor stores were Macy's, Hahnes, and Stern's. [19] On June 18, 1988, a Disney Store opened, which was the first Disney Store located outside of California. [20] Hahnes closed in March 1989 and converted to Lord & Taylor on October 18, 1989. [21] [22]
The mall complex pursued a major expansion in 1991 to add two eight-story office buildings to the complex, which would include 578,000 sq ft (53,700 m2). of office space and a 300-room hotel. The effort was initiated as part of a longstanding urban renewal project. [23] By 2000, with a 347-room Bridgewater Marriott Hotel already under the construction, the mall's developers pushed ahead to develop the office towers planned for the complex. [24] The two towers later opened, occupied mostly by Brother Industries and Sanofi-Aventis.
In 1993, Bridgewater Commons became one of the first malls in the state to ban smoking, joining 300 of 1800 malls nationwide that prohibited smoking on mall grounds. [25]
21st century
In 2001, Macy's announced that two Stern's stores will close in the same year, and reopen as Bloomingdale's stores in 2002; Bridgewater was one of them. [26] The other store that was affected was the Wayne location, located at the Willowbrook Mall. [27]
In 2003, upscale seafood chain McCormick & Schmick's opened. [28]
As of November 2008, the Food Court has reopened after its extensive renovation, continuing to rotate through restaurants on a regular basis. [29] As of November 2025, the dining options span categories such as American, Asian Fusion, Beverages, Chicken, Chinese, Coffee and Tea, Desserts, Fast Food, Italian, Mexican, Salad, Sandwiches and Soups, and Seafood. [30] Long-standing chains are Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips, Charley's Philly Steaks, Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, Saladworks, and Sarku Japan.
Throughout the year of 2010, Bridgewater Commons sought an increase in entertainment and restaurant occupants with The Cheesecake Factory opening on August 23, and both AMC Dine-in Theatres and California Pizza Kitchen opening in November. [31] [32] [33]
On November 23, 2016, American restaurant chain Redstone American Grill opened their second New Jersey location in a pad next to California Pizza Kitchen. [34]
McCormick & Schmick's closed in January 2019 due to the expiration of their lease. [35]
Mexican food chain Uncle Julio’s opened their first NJ location in the space formerly occupied by McCormick & Schmick's on February 25, 2020. [36]
On August 27, 2020, Lord & Taylor announced they would liquidate and shutter all their remaining stores as the company declared bankruptcy. [37] [38]
In December 2022, the town council approved a zoning ordinance in the former Lord & Taylor anchor pad to attract entertainment and amusement establishments such as Topgolf or Dave & Buster's to occupy the vacant space. [39]
In May 2023, Pacific Retail Capital Partners acquired the mall and The Village from Trademark Properties to revitalize the properties into a "vibrant mixed-use destination". A purchase price has not been disclosed. [40]
In June 2024, Brazilian steakhouse chain Fogo de Chão opened their venue at the mall. [41]
The Commons currently consists of some of America's most popular brands such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Apple, Alo Yoga, Athleta, Lululemon, LUSH, J. Crew, Pottery Barn, Sephora, Swarovski , Williams-Sonoma, and more. [42]
In April 2025, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen joined the Commons's food court. [43]
In October 2025, a spokesperson from Pacific Retail Capital Partners stated that the mall will undergo renovations that will conclude sometime in 2026. [44] The mall's food court will be renovated, along with dedicated sections for children, and updated lighting, paint, and artwork. [44]
NJ Transit bus: 65, 114