Brick moves to lease civic plaza space for free clothing store serving local families

Brick moves to lease Civic Plaza space for free clothing store serving local families

Posted by
1 min read
November 22, 2025

BRICK, N.J. – Brick Township is preparing to vote on an ordinance that would allow a nonprofit group to lease a township-owned storefront to operate a free clothing shop for children and families in need.

The lease would cover Unit 11 at Civic Plaza, located at 270 Chambers Bridge Road.

Under the proposal, the nonprofit Choose Love Celebrate Life — A Foundation for Youth and Families, Inc. — would run the shop under the name “Community Threads.”

If approved, the organization would be permitted to use the space for one year beginning September 1, with the option for up to four one-year extensions.

The township would lease the space for nominal rent in accordance with New Jersey statutes governing municipal property agreements for public purposes.

Ordinance outlines public benefit and oversight

Township officials say the store will provide new and gently used clothing and accessories at no cost to residents in need, with operations supported entirely through charitable donations. The number of beneficiaries is expected to exceed one hundred people, according to the ordinance.

The mayor and council have designated the township’s business administrator to oversee compliance with lease conditions and ensure the nonprofit continues to meet its public service obligations.

Hours of operation for Community Threads would be Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store would be closed on Sundays.

Accountability and renewal terms

Under the proposed lease, the nonprofit will be required to file an annual report detailing its activities, the number of individuals served, and confirmation of its tax-exempt status.

The report will be reviewed by township officials each year before any renewal is considered. The ordinance also includes a standard severability clause ensuring the rest of the law remains valid if any section is later ruled unenforceable.

Once adopted, the measure will take effect following its second reading and formal publication.


Key Points

  • Brick Township plans to lease a Civic Plaza storefront to a nonprofit for a free clothing store.
  • The store, “Community Threads,” would serve children and families in need.
  • The lease would run for one year starting September 1, with up to four annual renewals possible.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version