Roseland, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (NYSE: CLI), and Woodmont Properties announced today that they have signed a lease with The Salad House to occupy a 2,000-square-foot restaurant space at The Shops on the Green in downtown Morristown, NJ.

The Salad House, a custom salad and sandwich shop with an existing location in Millburn, will occupy a ground-floor storefront within the 40 Park mixed-use development that borders a public piazza featuring ample space for outdoor dining. The upscale, casual eatery will join a growing list of national and regional retailers that have already opened at The Shops on the Green, including Roots Steak House, Starbucks, Urban Table, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Powerflow Yoga, No Body Denied, and the AT&T Store.

“A business like The Salad House that is well-known locally and has a unique product to offer is a tremendous addition to downtown Morristown,” said Debra Tantleff, vice president of development at Roseland. “It will provide an alternative dining option for local residents, visitors, and the significant daily workforce in Morristown, and will benefit from the abundant foot traffic in the area. We’re proud to add it to our ever-evolving list of retail tenants at The Shops on the Green, which continues to live up to its reputation as the centerpiece of Morristown’s downtown business district.”

The Shops on The Green features 66,000 square feet of class A retail space that anchors the 76-unit 40 Park luxury condominium building and the 130-unit Metropolitan at 40 Park rental building that were developed by the Roseland/Woodmont partnership. The retail is highly visible and easily accessible from Market Street, the Morristown Green, and the 40 Park public piazza which leads to an enclosed public parking garage.

“The Salad House reflects our commitment to recruiting a well-balanced mix of regional and national retailers to The Shops on The Green,” noted Steven Santola, executive vice president of Woodmont Properties. “Downtown Morristown is a vibrant, thriving center of dining, shopping and recreation, and The Shops on The Green has played an integral role in contributing to the overall success and appeal of the downtown district.”

Morristown first came onto The Salad House owner Joe Cioffi’s radar when several Morristown residents who frequent his Millburn location asked him to bring his eatery to their home town. Mr. Cioffi scouted the area and decided The Shops on the Green was the right location for his business due to its connection to two fully occupied residential buildings and proximity to the Morristown Green and a public parking garage.

“Morristown is a beautiful town with a nice mix of people. It has that feel of a metropolitan community nestled in the suburbs,” Mr. Cioffi said. “The town has a lot going for it, but it’s not easy to find a place to grab a quick salad. I asked around town, and everyone told me that you have to go to a sit-down restaurant or settle for something that was pre-made.”

The Salad House will change that by giving patrons the option to customize their meal. Customers will be able to build their own salad from a long list of veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, meats, cheeses, dressings, and other ingredients. Custom sandwiches, wraps, and flatbread pizzas will also be available. Freshly made paninis and pizzas give an Italian flare to the menu and pay homage to Mr. Cioffi’s roots in the restaurant industry, working for family-owned Italian restaurants and delis in northern New Jersey.

Mr. Cioffi believes the thriving retail mix at The Shops on the Green and the associated foot traffic will give him exposure that will help him build his customer base.

“We are in the company of some really elite businesses,” Mr. Cioffi said. “We have a Starbucks, a Roots Steak House and other popular businesses that enjoy a level of success I aspire to.”

The 40 Park mixed-use development is part of a larger $300 million-plus redevelopment effort Roseland and Woodmont Properties have spearheaded in downtown Morristown that has created nearly 500 new condominium and rental residences and 100,000 square feet of retail space. The integration of new upscale residences and supportive retail in the heart of the downtown center and just steps from the train station has successfully reenergized Morristown and contributed to its growth as a vibrant, convenient, and desirable urban destination.

The Salad House anticipates opening in the first quarter of 2014. For more information on retail opportunities at The Shops on the Green, please call Silbert Realty & Management Company at (908) 604-6900.

For more information on The Salad House email Joe Cioffi at thesaladhouse@gmail.com.