Any Word on This Empty Location on Route 72 in Manahawkin, New Jersey?

During a recent stop in Stafford Township, working on another article, I noticed that the former Kmart center on Route 72 in Manahawkin remains dark after quite some time now and I'm curious if there is an update.

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This location used to be home to Kmart before they closed for good. Personally, we loved shopping at Kmart and still miss that location on Route 72 in Manahawkin. This spot now has been dark for a couple of years and as time goes on I wonder if this location will see new life? Hard to believe that it has been 5 years now (2017) since Kmart closed its doors in Stafford Township.

Now according to a Jersey Shore Online article, which dates back to 2020, there were plans to bring new business to this particular location. Prior to the "pandemic", there were plans for this mall. The vacant Kmart building will be divided to make spaces for four stores.

TJ Maxx and HomeGoods will move to the Kmart building.

Ross Dress for Less will take a spot next to TJ Maxx/HomeGoods. This will be the first Ross Stores’ location in Ocean County.

Old Navy will take a spot next to Ross.

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, will move into the 40,000-square-foot store that TJ Maxx and HomeGoods are currently located in.

Ulta Beauty will move from Stafford Square shopping center and into Manahawkin Commons.

So what is the future of this location? are the previous plans still being considered? have the previous plans been canceled? If you have any intel please share and let us know. Hopefully, this location will one day be back to life for shoppers in Southern Ocean County.

As a sidebar, what would you possibly like to see at this location?