Business Buzz
Somers Point’s retail growth is continuing with Ross Dress for Less preparing to open at Ocean Heights Plaza.
The off-price retailer will occupy the former Staples space at 319 Bethel Road, near the busy intersection of Ocean Heights Avenue and New Road. A grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 10.
The approximately 24,000-square-foot space is being renovated for Ross, bringing a nationally recognized retailer to an established shopping center with high visibility, ample parking and a regional customer base.
Ross Dress for Less sells name-brand and designer clothing, footwear, accessories and home merchandise at discounted prices. Its frequently changing inventory creates the “treasure hunt” experience that has helped off-price retailers attract value-conscious shoppers.
Ross is the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States. The company opened 35 Ross Dress for Less stores and 12 dd’s DISCOUNTS locations across 15 states and territories in June and July. As of July, the company operated 1,952 Ross locations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, along with 376 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores.
Ross Stores plans to open approximately 110 locations during fiscal 2026, including about 85 Ross stores and 25 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores. The company has said it believes the U.S. market could eventually support at least 2,900 Ross locations and 700 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores.
The Ocean Heights Plaza store will be the company’s second location in Atlantic County. Ross also operates at Hamilton Commons in Mays Landing. In Cape May County, the retailer has a store along Route 9 in Rio Grande.
Ocean Heights Plaza is a 179,183-square-foot shopping center anchored by an 80,734-square-foot ShopRite. Property owner Brixmor Property Group estimates that the center receives more than 8,000 visits per day and more than 3 million annually.
Brixmor also reports an average household income of more than $145,000 within 3 miles of the center. Traffic counts exceed 16,000 vehicles per day on New Road and 19,000 on Ocean Heights Avenue. The plaza also benefits from its proximity to Ocean City and the seasonal flow of residents and visitors to the shore.
Ross is one of several recent additions to Ocean Heights Plaza. Dave’s Hot Chicken and Jersey Mike’s Subs opened in newly configured storefronts near Norman’s Hallmark. Dave’s occupies approximately 3,000 square feet, while Jersey Mike’s occupies about 1,774 square feet.
They join a tenant lineup that includes ShopRite, Five Below, Dollar Tree, Club Pilates, Starbucks, America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Doggie Style Pets, Manco & Manco Pizza, Tony Beef, The UPS Store, Xfinity, Supercuts and Sport Clips, along with several health, beauty and professional-service businesses.
The arrival of Ross shows how established shopping centers can give former big-box spaces new life. Filling the former Staples location should generate additional foot traffic and draw shoppers from Atlantic and Cape May counties.
Somers Point has long served as a commercial gateway to Ocean City and neighboring shore communities. With Ross, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Jersey Mike’s and other businesses joining the market, Ocean Heights Plaza is strengthening its position as one of the region’s busiest shopping destinations.
The continued investment also signals confidence in Somers Point. As some traditional retailers reduce their footprints, value-oriented stores and restaurant chains continue to expand locally, bringing additional shopping choices, employment opportunities and commercial activity to the region.
Remember to support local businesses, especially small businesses. They are the lifeline of our community.
Rich Baehrle has been a licensed real estate broker for 43 years and specializes in commercial, investment and residential real estate throughout South Jersey. He can be reached at 609-226-6680 or RichardBaehrle@gmail.com
