Shake Shack, First Watch Restaurants Coming To Brick

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township is getting a Shake Shack restaurant.

The fast-casual restaurant and First Watch, a breakfast/lunch/brunch restaurant, have signed leases to occupy a new pad that will be built at the Brick Commons shopping center, home to Kohl's and ShopRite, Urban Edge Properties officials announced Monday.

It will be the only Shake Shack in Ocean County, and one of three in Ocean and Monmouth counties (there is one at Monmouth Mall in Eatontown and one at the Monmouth Travel Plaza in Wall).

Urban Edge Properties received approval in October 2020 to tear down the bank and replace it with a pad to hold two restaurants. At the time of the approval, the two restaurants had not been named.

In 2022, Urban Edge went back to the zoning board with a request to amend the original site plan to provide a drive-through for the Shake Shack, but that request was rejected, township officials said.

"The applicant decided to proceed with the original approved plan, now with 2 named tenants, keeping the footprint as approved," officials said.

"Brick Commons is a highly trafficked destination with fantastic proximity to the Jersey Shore’s beach destinations," said Justin Lustig, vice president of leasing for Urban Edge Properties. "This new pad site faces Route 70 and creates a desirable spot for both of these restaurants and even more compelling reasons for our guests to visit, stay and shop."

First Watch has won numerous awards for its chef-driven menu of brunch favorites and seasonal specialties, officials said.

"Ever since we opened the doors to our first New Jersey restaurant in Union four years ago, First Watch has seen just how responsive customers are to our fresh take on breakfast, brunch and lunch, so we cannot wait to bring that experience to more of our neighbors in Brick in the coming year," said Robert Botelho, vice president of operations at First Watch.

Brick Commons also recently welcomed Round Pie Pizza Company to the property.