Brick Business Updates: Lidl, Royal Farms, Corrado's, NJ Swim

BRICK, NJ — You asked, we've got some answers. In the ever-evolving retail landscape, word that new stores or restaurants are coming to town always is exciting.

But sometimes the wait from the initial announcement to the grand opening is more difficult endure than that first dollop of ketchup from a new bottle (if you remember the days before the squeeze bottles, of course).

There are a few big stores in the works; here's what we know about where they are in the process of opening:

ROYAL FARMS: The convenience store chain known among many travelers for its fried chicken received planning board approval in September 2018 to construct a store at the former Jersey Paddler site.

Joanne Bergin, the Brick Township business administrator, said the company "has not completed the resolution compliance process, but we expect that to be wrapped up shortly." There were items as part of the planning board approval that had to be addressed. That process has taken some time.

Royal Farms has been in existence since 1959, and boasts that it serves "real fresh food real fast," with its fried chicken being well-known among those who travel through Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. The five existing Royal Farms stores in New Jersey are in the southern part of the state; the Brick site will be the first at the Jersey Shore.

LIDL: The German grocery store chain signed a lease for the former Cost Cutters store in May 2019, a site at the Riverwalk at Brick (formerly Kennedy Mall) that had been vacant for nearly 10 years.

The grocer, which opened a location in Lacey last fall and is getting closer to opening one in Howell, recently submitted permit plans that are under review by Brick Township building department, Bergin said.

CORRADO'S MARKET: The North Jersey grocer announced last July that it will fill the site left vacant at the Laurel Square Shopping Center when Pathmark closed.

The market, which James Corrado said is "not your typical grocery store," said at the time they were aiming for a late spring or early summer opening. It will sell alcohol as well, after being awarded a liquor license in October.

In a Jan. 23 post on the market's Facebook page, the company said it is continuing to make progress: "So many of you have asked about the status of our new location in Brick Township. We know you can't wait for your own Corrado's Market to be open in Ocean County, and we can't wait to be open for our extended family too! ⁣⁣While we have a way to go on the inside and out - know that we ARE MAKING PROGRESS at our new location in #BrickNJ and doing everything in our power to bring you the Corrado's Quality and Service that you know and love as quickly as possible."

It is still looking at late spring or early summer for the opening, the post said.

NJSWIM BRICK: In addition to Corrado's, a new swimming school is opening in Laurel Square Shopping Plaza. Joe Oehme, the owner, said in a post on Patch that the custom-designed 8,000-square-foot aquatic center is anticipated to open in the spring.

"The state-of-the-art swim school will be family, and water baby friendly, with custom changing rooms, stroller parking and hair drying stations," he wrote. You can read his post here.

They are seeking employees for the swim school, said Oehme, who is a Brick native.

STARBUCKS: A few people have asked about the Starbucks that is under construction at Bay Harbor Plaza on Brick Boulevard. Patch is trying to get a status update on the work from Starbucks officials but emails seeking information were not returned Friday evening. We will update you as soon as we get an answer.

While those new stores are in the works, Brick also bid farewell to Boston Market this week. The restaurant on Brick Boulevard, which had been in operation since the mid-1990s, closed its doors for good a week ago.

A Boston Market spokesperson said only: "After many great years of serving the area, we made the difficult decision to close our Brick restaurant. However, fans of Boston Market are encouraged to visit our other northern New Jersey locations located in Toms River, Howell, Shrewsbury and Middletown."

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook.