Ceremonial 'Groundbreaking' Set for New Burlington Coat Factory

Since would be moving into the old Great Indoors retail space in Woodbridge, the vacant store has been humming. Workers were going in and out of the store - some laying down new flooring, others working on sheetrock - all with the goal of readying the store for a fall opening.

Despite all the work that has already done for months in revamping the Great Indoors retail space into a habitation fit for the Burlington Coat Factory, Mayor John McCormac will be holding a sort of groundbreaking photo op at the site on Tuesday, June 11, at 11 am.

Burlington Coat Factory dignitaries Senior Vice President Russell Schaller and Regional Vice President Jeff Armenti are expected to attend the ceremony at the store, located in the mostly vacant Woodbridge Crossing strip mall fronting Route 1 South in Iselin.

The company, which originally started its business by discounting women's coats, has expanded to include attire for the entire family and some housewares items. The Woodbridge store will encompass 70,000 sq. ft., or one floor of the empty pavillion, said Burlington spokeswoman Chelsea Cowan in March.

Burlington Coat Factory operates more than 470 stores, with each averaging 80,000 sq. ft, "more than twice the size of most off-price competitors," according to their website.

Along with the bargains, the retail store is expected to bring about 100 jobs.