Bridgewater Commons Hosts Santa Cares for Neurodiverse Guests

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (November 27, 2023) — For many, the trip to visit Santa Claus at the mall is a cherished family ritual, but for children and adults with autism or other neurodiversities, it can be an overwhelming experience. To allow everyone the chance for a photo with Santa, Bridgewater Commons is hosting Santa Cares for its guests with special needs on December 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

One in 34 New Jersey residents is neurodiverse, according to the Centers for Disease Control and the state has the third-highest rate of autism in the nation, said AutismNJ.com. Bridgewater Commons is dedicated to providing an inclusive environment not only for this event but every day, said Tom Kovacic, Marketing and Business Development Director for Bridgewater Commons. Thus, in partnership with The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute and Parents With a Plan, the center will provide a sensory-friendly Santa event to experience the time-honored tradition of a visit and photos with Santa.

“December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. We intentionally aligned our Santa @ The Commons with this important day,” Kovacic said. “It provides the perfect opportunity to open our Santa experience two hours earlier than normal for a more low-key, quieter event for our neurodiverse guests.”

The Arc of New Jersey has been committed to providing information and advocacy to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families for more than 60 years. Parents With a Plan, a 501(c)(3) organization striving to provide robust, person centered approaches to supportive housing environments, for neurodiverse adults, is developing neuroinclusive housing in New Jersey.

“Their expertise and guidance have been invaluable as we create an event that will allow the entire family to enjoy a photo with Santa at Bridgewater Commons in an inclusive, thoughtful way,” Kovacic said.

Bridgewater Commons has held the Santa Cares event for the past several years, and it has become a loved tradition.

“We are thrilled to support Bridgewater Commons and by their ongoing support of the neurodiverse community, especially at this time of year,” said Karen E. Fluharty, co-founder of Parents With a Plan. “To have that support align with International Day of Disabilities makes this even more meaningful for all of us.” More information can be found at www.parentswithaplan.org.

Santa @ The Commons is presented by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset. Guests can learn more about this special event and other upcoming holiday programming at www.bridgewatercommons.com.

Located along Interstate 287 at the intersections of Route 22 and Route 202/206, the 1.2 million-square-foot Bridgewater Commons is Somerset County’s largest shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.

The complex also includes The Village at Bridgewater Commons, a unique, open-air shopping district with more than 10 retailers and food and beverage locations including LOFT, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Shake Shack, and Starbucks.

About Bridgewater Commons
Located along the I-287 corridor at the intersection of Routes 22 and 202/206 in Bridgewater, New jersey, Bridgewater Commons is a more than 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center serving the Northern N.J. region. The cornerstone of its community’s commercial sector since 1988 and boasting an array of over 150 leading retailers, premiere restaurants and convenient service brands, Bridgewater Commons is home to anchor department stores Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s; iconic retailers including Apple, J. Crew, Lucky Brand Jeans, lululemon athletica, Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma; along with a collection of restaurants, eateries and entertainment venues such as Seasons 52, The Cheesecake Factory, Redstone American Grill and AMC Dine-In Theatres, among many more. Further enhancing the property is The Village at Bridgewater Commons, a unique, open-air shopping district with over 10 retailers and food and beverage locations including White House Black Market, LOFT, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Shake Shack and Starbucks for visitors to explore and enjoy. Bridgewater Commons is an IREM® Certified Sustainable Property. For more information including a full store directory, operating hours, driving directions and more, please visit www.bridgewatercommons.com.

About Pacific Retail Capital Partners
Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP) is one of the nation’s premier retail operating groups of large open-air and enclosed shopping centers, with more than $3.0 billion in assets under management across the United States. Based in Southern California, the company’s portfolio totals 24 properties encompassing over 20 million square feet. With a highly experienced team that has a proven track record of generating value its stakeholders, PRCP is dedicated to evolving real estate for the next generation by working with the communities it serves to design master plans that transform its assets into high-performing mixed-use destinations. The vertically-integrated company provides end-to-end sourcing, assessment, underwriting, valuing, developing, marketing, design and asset management services. To learn more visit pacificretail.com or follow on social media at: Facebook: @PacificRetailCapitalPartners and Instagram: @PacificRetail

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