The store at 697 Broad Street opened its doors for the first time Thursday morning
NEWARK - A new Nike factory store has set up shop on Broad Street, becoming the latest addition to a rapidly developing portion of the city's downtown.
The outlet, which opened its doors for the first time Thursday morning, sells sneakers, athletic apparel and sports equipment at discounted prices.
It is located at the corner of Broad Street and Cedar Street across from Military Park, on the same block as the newly opened Prudential Tower and a recently completed Starbucks. Property records indicate that the building is owned by Prudential, which purchased it in June 2012.
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The area is attracting a glut of attention from developers, with plans for a nearby mixed-use retail and residential building anchored by a Whole Foods supermarket, a new hotel and a high-rise apartment building already in the works.
A Nike spokesman was unable to confirm how many employees the store had hired.
On Thursday morning, dozens of customers browsed through the store's racks, many toting bright orange shopping bags as they filtered back out onto Broad Street.
Among them was Julio Moreno, a Newark resident and self-described "sneakerhead" who said he had no idea the store was on its way to the city until he walked by it late this morning. While he was excited to have another outlet to help build his shoe collection, he said he also felt a sense of possibility in the neighborhood.
"It's nice that it's here. It's something that can make us feel good," he said. "I just got to make sure I don't spend all my money."
Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
