In 2018, The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, NJ completed a major expansion — adding over 537,000 square feet of gross building area and making it the largest outlet mall in New Jersey. Here’s what changed and what it means for shoppers today.
What Changed in the Expansion
Simon Property Group completed the long-planned expansion of The Mills at Jersey Gardens in 2018. The project added “an additional gross building area of 537,119 square feet, which accommodated 392,251 square feet of gross leasable area” (source: Wikipedia). The total gross leasable area now stands at 1,684,862 square feet, making it the largest outlet mall in New Jersey.
The expansion brought new stores, restaurants, retail uses, outdoor seating and patio space, an upper-level seasonal outdoor dining pavilion, and a new mall entry feature. The new area was integrated near the AMC Loews 20 movie theater.
A History of Growth
The last major upgrade before the 2018 expansion was completed in November 2013 — a $30 million renovation and re-branding that gave the mall a brighter, more modern look and boosted sales significantly. After Simon Property Group purchased the mall in 2013, it was renamed “The Mills at Jersey Gardens.” The 2018 expansion was the next chapter in that growth story.
We’ve also put together a full recap of what’s new at The Mills at Jersey Gardens covering the stores and changes that followed the expansion.
Jersey Gardens Today
Today, The Mills at Jersey Gardens is New Jersey’s largest outlet mall with over 200 stores across fashion, dining, and entertainment categories. Shoppers benefit from no sales tax on clothing and shoes in New Jersey — a major draw for visitors from New York and beyond.
We’ve put together a complete guide to The Mills at Jersey Gardens, including current stores, hours, and directions.
How Does Jersey Gardens Compare?
Jersey Gardens holds its own against strong competition. While Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in New York attracts luxury brand shoppers, Jersey Gardens wins on accessibility from NYC and NJ’s no-sales-tax advantage. American Dream opened in 2019 with its entertainment-first approach, but Jersey Gardens remains a popular choice for value-focused outlet shopping close to Newark and Jersey City.
