Audible will soon unveil “The Pillars,” a new retail destination in downtown Newark designed to boost local businesses and enhance the city’s Arts and Education District.
The audio storytelling company has renovated the 15,000-square-foot ground floor of a modernist building at 33 Washington St., transforming it into a community-focused retail hub set to open Oct. 15.
“The Pillars represents a new paradigm for corporate investment in our headquarters city,” Bob Carrigan, Audible’s CEO said in a statement. “By transforming physical spaces and directly supporting local businesses with financial assistance through our Business Attraction Program, we’re building an ecosystem that sustains entrepreneurship, drives foot traffic, and celebrates community.”
The space will feature a central court with Audible listening booths and three distinct retail spaces that blend wellness, artisanal home goods, and hand-crafted beauty products at launch, with a fourth food and beverage tenant planned for 2026.
Businesses will receive financial support through Audible’s Business Attraction Program, which provides funding, mentorship and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs who have historically faced barriers to access.
Audible will soon unveil “The Pillars,” a new retail destination in downtown Newark next month. The space will feature a central court complete with Audible listening booths, and three distinct retail spaces that blend wellness, artisanal home goods, and hand-crafted beauty products.Audible
“This project is the epitome of the high-caliber innovation and community-focused development that drives Newark forward,” Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said in a statement. “When we invest to bring new amenities to our neighborhoods while creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, it strengthens the fabric of our whole city.”
The initial businesses include Tansy, a woman-owned home goods and plant store; Pooka Pure & Simple, offering bath and body products along with a perfume blending bar called The Bloom Bar; and HealHaus, a wellness destination featuring yoga, meditation, and a wellness café.
“We’re thrilled to expand Tansy from Seattle and Burbank, and now to Newark,” said founder Shawna Christian. “Our newest location at The Pillars will be more than a retail space—it will be a platform for creativity and community connection.”
The Pillars joins Audible’s other neighborhood investments, including the restoration of the historic Innovation Cathedral and work on Newark’s Harriet Tubman Square.
The grand opening event will take place at 11 a.m. and will feature remarks from Carrigan, Baraka, and the retail tenants, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
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