Audible will open a dynamic retail hub in Newark on October 15. The Pillars is a 15,000-square-foot retail and community hub at 33 Washington Street in the city’s Arts and Education District. The newly renovated space combines local business support with an immersive retail experience.
The Pillars will occupy the ground floor and facade of a modernist building designed by Welton Becket. The hub features a central court with Audible listening booths and three distinct retail spaces focused on wellness, home goods and beauty products. A food and beverage tenant is planned to join the hub next year. Tenants receive support through Audible’s Business Attraction Program, which offers funding, mentorship and networking opportunities to founders who have historically faced barriers to entry. It is Audible’s largest, most ambitious community investment ever—designed to contribute to the city’s continued economic growth.
“The Pillars represents a new paradigm for corporate investment in our headquarters city,” said Audible CEO Bob Carrigan. “We’re building an ecosystem that sustains entrepreneurship, drives foot traffic, and celebrates community. I’m thrilled to see The Pillars become part of the incredible momentum building in downtown Newark.”
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka touted the project, stating that it strengthens neighborhoods and boosts opportunities for local entrepreneurs. “The Pillars adds to the vibrancy of Newark’s Arts and Education District, and spotlights how we build a more equitable and prosperous city by reimagining spaces that serve us all,” he said.
Three Businesses Will Open at Launch
Tansy
A woman-owned home goods and plant store, Tansy features products from local artists and charitable organizations. The store offers classes in plant care, terrarium building, and creative arts. Founder Shawna Christian said the Newark location will be “a platform for creativity and community connection.”
Pooka Pure & Simple and The Bloom Bar
Founder Dawn Fitch returns to Newark with her clean-beauty brand, Pooka Pure & Simple. The Bloom Bar allows visitors to craft fragrances and join DIY workshops. Fitch described the location as an “immersive vision for retail and creativity.”
HealHaus
A wellness center offering yoga, meditation, breathwork, and weekend workshops. HealHaus includes a café serving smoothies, teas, and grab-and-go items. Founder Darian Hall said Newark’s cultural heritage and community make the city ideal for the next chapter of the business.
About the Neighborhood
The Arts and Education District draws more than 70,000 visitors each month, with a strong foundation of independent restaurants, retail stores and more. The Pillars taps into a growing trend of experiential retail by offering interactive, in-person experiences that online shopping can’t replicate.
The Pillars builds on Audible’s broader efforts in Newark, including restoring the Innovation Cathedral, reimagining Harriet Tubman Square and commissioning public art through the Newark Artist Collaboration.
Audible estimates that its initiatives contribute nearly $2 billion annually in economic impact for Newark.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
