Get ready for burgers and a big bag of steaming hot fries, because Sussex County's first Five Guys franchise is coming in hot.
The Hampton Township Planning Board unanimously approved site plans on June 20 to convert a one-story retail building at 10 Route 206 (Hampton House Road) into mixed use, with several tenants signed on, including Five Guys, a fast-casual chain known for its burgers and fries, as well as Aspen Dental, a full-service dental provider.
Verizon Wireless is the only business occupying the current building, which is located on a 2 ½ acre tract of land owned by Stephen and Eric Martin. The store will stay through the transition, but will shift spots and relocate as the middle retailer of the newly converted building. Five Guys will be located in the left space and Aspen Dental will occupy the right side space. A fourth spot for a restaurant, retail or professional space, which will be located behind the dental office in the rear of the building, is not yet occupied, said Charles Dietz, a managing member of The Dietz Partnership, a design firm in Parsippany. The firm has taken on some of the largest retail projects across North Jersey, including The Shops at Ledgewood Commons.
While the 12,515-square-foot building will remain, it will undergo a renovation to create a more aesthetic appearance, with a new red brick veneer, cast and cultured stone, new awnings, and gooseneck light fixtures and wall sconces, according to the site application. Other modifications include the addition of a pylon sign covered in brick and stone, LED lighting, an increase to 72 parking spots, landscaping and spots for electric vehicle charging. The current access drives into and out of the site will remain.
The building's plans appear to echo the aesthetics of the newly renovated façades of the PetSmart, HomeGoods and Marshalls shops located in the Sussex County Mall on the south side of Route 206. Several properties located on Route 206 in Hampton, and some on the border in Newton, are owned or partially owned by members of the Martin family.
A small single-story building and a drainage area on either side of the 10 Route 206 property will not change, but there will be a minor lot line adjustment to ensure enough space for a drive aisle and parking spaces, according to the plans.
The current building, which is a prime location for retail shops in Sussex County that has expanded enormously over the years, was once occupied by Harmon Face Values, which closed in February 2023. The Verizon Wireless was once an iconic Blockbuster video store.
Five Guys began in the Washington, D.C. area in 1986 and has grown to over 1,800 locations worldwide, according to their website . The popular burger chain, which touts itself as having more than 250,000 different burger combinations, has 51 locations in New Jersey, although none in Sussex County. The closest location to Newton is on Route 10 in Roxbury and at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, both in Morris County.
Aspen Dental has over 1,000 locations nationwide and 16 practices in New Jersey. The provider offers a wide range of services, including aligners, dentures, dental implants, emergency dental care, checkups and general dental services, according to its website . The closest location to Newton is in Hackettstown in Warren County.
It was not immediately clear when construction on the building will be complete, although the property has seen a lot of activity over the weeks, with workers on-site Wednesday morning. Dietz, who designed the building's façade, did not respond to several requests for comment, nor did a spokesperson for Five Guys.
Email: lcomstock@njherald.com ; Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook .
This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Five Guys finds spot in Hampton Township. Find out what else is coming
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