Presidents Day Blood Drive Planned

It will be held at the Bridgewater Commons Mall.

New Jersey Blood Services will be hosting a blood drive at the Bridgewater Commons Mall Monday. As shoppers head over to the mall to enjoy the sales, they are also being invited to help save lives by taking part in the Presidents Day Blood Drive. The drive will be held from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Cheesecake Factory. All donors will receive a $10 off $30 coupon for Houlihan’s. To make an appointment for the drive, click here. Those donating must bring photo ID and proof of age. They must be at least 16 years old (which requires parental permission) and weigh at least 110 pounds. For more information, visit nybloodcenter.org.

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Mall Transfers Space to Begin Expansion Plans

The Bridgewater Commons Mall is hoping to add a new restaurant and maybe more.

Mall Expansion Plans Hope to Bring More Shoppers

Bloomingdale's is giving up some of its ability to expand.

With plans formulating to build a new restaurant at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, representatives with the mall are requesting a change in the deal with the township that would allow them to transfer land promised to the department stores. Mall attorney Kevin Coakley spoke before the township council Thursday to request a change in the redevelopment agreement between the two entities concerning space reserved for expanding by the three department stores at the mall, Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor and Macy’s. According to Coakley, provisions were made in the agreement to allow these department stores to add on to their buildings, 40,000 square feet for two of the stores and 50,000 for one. “And there is 3,500 square feet allowed for …

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Santa Photos, Last-Minute Gifts as Christmas Nears

Children visit with St. Nick, shoppers hit Bridgewater Commons for final holiday presents.

The line of cars to enter the Bridgewater Commons went nearly a half-mile from the mall and down Route 202/206 on Sunday. But remarkably, once in the parking lot, it was not so difficult to get a good parking spot. Inside the mall, there were no long lines, no real hastle, and most of the shoppers in the mall were walking around with a bag or less.  "The shopping was great," said Van Manioudakis, of Somerset. "We thought pulling into the mall it was going to be a nightmare, but is hasn't really been that bad." The line of children and families to visit Santa was a little more than a half an hour most of the afternoon.

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Mall Sued By Man Fired for Asking Woman to Remove Hijab

Former security guard Marc Krause is seeking reinstatement of his position at the mall.

The man who was fired from his mall guard job at Bridgewater Commons after asking a Muslim woman to remove her hijab is suing the company that manages the mall, according to an article on mycentraljersey.com. According to the article, former security guard, and Raritan resident, Marc Krause, 40, filed his discrimination lawsuit in state Superior Court in Somerville Monday. In May, a Muslim woman was issued an apology after she was told twice by a security guard in the mall to remove her niqab, which covers her face from the public. At the time, the mall's senior general manager, Troy Fischer, said the woman was approached by a security guard, who was an employee of outside vendor IPC International, and told to remove the head covering, …

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Black Friday Frenzy Hits Bridgewater Commons

Crowds flock for early deals at the mall.

With coffee makers, crock pots and other items discounted by as much as 80 percent, the Macy's home goods department featured long lines of shoppers with piles of boxes stacked as tall as the shoppers themselves. Stores that cater to the younger crowd such as Hollister, which had a 50 percent off "everything" sign outside, were jammed while some of the smaller specialty stores, while busy, were not overly crowded.

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Great Escape

Santa Claus is Coming to ... Bridgewater

Families are invited to take pictures with Santa at the mall.

Sometimes there's just not enough days in the week, but every Wednesday we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself. And this time we’re talking about getting fully prepared for the holiday season by heading over to the Bridgewater Commons Mall for a visit with the man in red himself. On Friday, Santa Claus arrived at the mall, ready for photos and much more with those looking to kickstart the season. Sitting in the Santa set in the center court of the mall, he will be there to take photos with children, full families and even pets. Santa will be at the mall from Nov. 9 through Dec. 24, and photo packages are available at the site—they include a certificate signed by Santa…

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Plenty of Treats and a Few Tricks at Mall's Halloween

Annual event draws several hundred children to Bridgewater Commons on Saturday.

All along the walkways and in the shops at the Bridgewater Commons, goblins, ghouls, princesses and superheros laughed and smiled Saturday looking for a trick or a treat. The event was postponed until Saturday due to superstorm Sandy.

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Sandy Forces Multiple Bridgewater Closures

We've got your updates on what's closed in Bridgewater during the storm.

With Hurricane Sandy preparing to bare its teeth in Bridgewater, and much of the eastern seaboard, lots of places are releasing closures in advance of the expected storm Monday and Tuesday. We have your list right here of all the closures in Bridgewater and the surrounding towns in Somerset County. Keep checking here throughout the length of the storm for a continually updated list.

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New Solar Canopies Being Built at Mall

This is another in a long line of projects to add solar panels in Bridgewater.

Solar panel canopies are popping up all over town—and the latest spot is the Bridgewater Commons Mall. The canopies are currently being constructed on the top floor of the parking deck, and panels will also be placed on the roof of the mall itself. The township council approved a resolution Thursday to sign a developers agreement with Safari Energy, LLC, which is building the panels. “This is for work at the mall, and it consists of building structures similar to the ones at the high school on the parking deck of the mall,” said township engineer Robert Bogart. “They already got all the permits, they also have permits for structures on the roof of the mall, the flat ones.” Councilman Filipe Pedroso asked whether the tall canopy structures …

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Mike

2:54 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012

Nice to have the cars covered, too, which is rarely mentioned. Panels face south, and mansions are north, so no glare.   more ›