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NorthJersey.com

The old Fair Lawn Nabisco plant is being dismantled slowly but surely, but plans to replace it with a warehouse are now a “question mark,” a borough official said.

The former factory along Route 208, which is being redeveloped by Greek Real Estate Partners, has been “slowly coming down,” Borough Manager Kurt Peluso said at a Borough Council meeting last week, responding to a resident who asked for an update.

Peluso said he'd been told that Glen Rock residents who are direct neighbors of the site had issues with the position of a crane and noise coming from the property.

As the work continues, Peluso said, the developer has to get approval from both the local and state building departments to “make sure everything is clean that is coming down.”

“Because of the process of checking everything before it comes down, it has slowed down the process quite a bit, but it is coming down safely and in a very clean manner,” Peluso added at the March 25 meeting.

A North Jersey landmark for decades, Nabisco closed its bakery in 2021 and sold it to the developer, then known as Greek Development. It's been almost two years since Greek canceled plans to implode the remaining tower, amid concerns from local residents about the release of asbestos or other potential contaminants.

The East Brunswick company then promised to clear the site through an "alternative method" that would not involve explosives.

Once the building is removed, Greek Real Estate Partners has approvals to build a warehouse covering 644,000 square feet, about the size of Prudential Center in Newark, along with 10,000 square feet of office space and 256 parking spaces. The project was approved by Fair Lawn's Planning Board in 2023.

Why Nabisco warehouse is now a 'question mark'

Peluso said he “doesn’t know” what’s going on with the warehouse proposal, saying it is a “question mark now.” He said there “might be another proposal” from the developer eventually, but nothing has been filed with the borough.

“I know the developers, as you look at the market, there’s been a lot of changes at the national level, especially with some of these new tariffs going into place,” Peluso said. “There has been a lot of warehouse distribution centers popping up throughout New Jersey, so the demand isn’t as high as when they first purchased it.”

New Jersey warehouse vacancy rates last year reached their highest levels in a decade, the result of a surge in new construction and uncertainty over the economic impacts of President Donald Trump's promised tariffs. David Greek, a managing partner of Greek Real Estate, told The Record and NorthJersey.com in February that many potential warehouse tenants "have paused or slowed plans for expansion."

Reached on Thursday, Peluso said no new application had been filed for the property as of yet. Greek Real Estate Partners did not immediately respond to a message asking about the timeline for dismantling the building and the state of the warehouse plan.

For decades, the bakery churned out Oreos, animal crackers and other treats, producing a sweet-smelling aroma that wafted over neighboring streets. But Mondelēz International Inc., Nabisco's Chicago-based parent, shut down the plant in July 2021, letting 600 workers go. Greek Real Estate purchased the 40-acre property for $146.5 million.

Officials gave conflicting explanations in 2023 as to why the implosion was postponed and eventually canceled, with some citing delays in securing permits and others saying more time was needed to remove asbestos. Community members who raised concerns signed a petition asking for additional testing and expressed frustration with the communication and information coming from local leaders.

Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: noda@northjersey.com; X: @snoda11

Soon after Oradell's Kelly Castro learned that her son had autism, she began hearing the tough truth from other parents: School programs and other support for autistic children largely disappear after kids turn 21.

"No matter where I was, no matter who I was speaking to, every single [parent], they all described it the same way: Once they turn 21, they fall off a cliff,” Castro said. “I didn’t understand at first, but one mom told me, ‘Everything your son gets right now, that all goes away.’”

Instead of accepting that fact, Castro has set out in her own way to change the status quo. On Saturday, she'll open her second business designed to provide work opportunities and training to adults with autism. Her new Fair Lawn bakery, Just a Taste of New Jersey, will hold a ribbon-cutting at noon on Saturday, after a soft opening last month. The store at 25-05 Broadway not only works with adult students with autism, it also features goods and products from other local businesses that employ people with disabilities.

“There’s all this focus on these individuals in school, or early intervention before they are even in school, on 'how do we get them to progress?'” Castro said. “It’s all about progress, and then they turn 21 and don’t have anything to do with the skills they worked so hard to get.”

Just a Taste is an expansion of the operation she started out of her home in 2023, Carson’s Cookie Dough, which also trains students with autism. The business was inspired by Castro's 8-year-old son, Carson, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age.

His mother was "terrified" after hearing about the diminishing prospects for kids like Carson once school support runs out.

But that changed at a retreat where Castro met the owners of Maplewood-based Beloved Bath, two moms whose adult sons have autism. Their bath-products company employs many who have autism.

“A lightbulb went off in my head," said Castro, who thought, "I could do that."

She started renting time at a kitchen in the Westwood Community Center, where she would work with two to three adult students with autism at a time, helping them learn to prepare and make her cookies. But scheduling became difficult, as the kitchen was shared with other people.

Castro searched for a bigger space to call her own and found something unexpected: a former bakery in Fair Lawn that provided both a kitchen and a storefront. Instead of just making cookies, she realized, she also could sell products of businesses with a similar mission.

She called the venture Just a Taste because it's meant to give customers “a taste of what these adults are able to do,” Castro said. Products on sale include popcorn from Piscataway-based Popcorn for the People, coffee from Little Falls and Morristown cafe Ethan & the Bean, honey from Pony Power Therapies of Mahwah, socks from Long Island-based John's Crazy Socks, and body lotions and candles from Beloved Bath.

“Every product that we have in there is made by a company which specifically hires adults with autism, Down syndrome, and differently abled adults,” Castro said.

Having her own storefront has been a “complete game changer” for Castro's efforts, she said. About 20 adult students can now participate five days a week to learn job skills, such as speaking with customers, making coffee or running a register. The volunteers are people ages 18 to 21 who attend autism programs at Cresskill public schools, Northern Valley Regional High School and the Park Ridge school district and in Little Falls.

“Our mission for both companies is to support adults who are differently abled with the ultimate goal of hiring these adults,” Castro said, noting that the organization is still in its infancy. “In the meantime, while we aren’t able to hire anybody yet, we are able to work with these adult students from various adult programs throughout Bergen County.”

The Just a Taste kitchen is set up with the students in mind. Its accommodations include step-by-step instructions near the cash register and in the kitchen. Castro learns something new every day with her workers, she said, as each brings different skills and personalities to the bakery.

“I think ‘if this person is having difficulty with this task, what can I do to make it easier for her?’” she said. “Maybe we can add a different seating option, put new signage or have picture messaging. Our kitchen is set up very specifically and labeled very specifically. We want the adults to not only succeed at the tasks but also interact with each other to build socialization skills that can also be challenging.”

“It’s cool to see their confidence,” she added. “You can see them interacting with the customers, and they are so proud of themselves. That’s an unexpected element we’re beginning to see.”

Melissa Van Cleft, a job coach from the Cresskill school district’s Community Steps to Independence program, said three of her students visit Just a Taste twice a week. They enjoy the feeling of growing independence.

Castro "really makes them feel so comfortable and so welcomed," Van Cleft said. "One boy goes in and has learned how to make the dough himself. It’s really a nice thing she’s doing for her family and the community.”

Castro hopes her example will encourage other employers to be more inclusive. Her goal for Carson’s Cookie Dough and Just a Taste isn’t to have employees who work there for 20 years; she wants to be a launchpad that helps students gain skills to work at other businesses as well.

“The unemployment rate is over 80% for adult who are differently abled, with autism, and it’s such a staggering number,” she said. “I thought, ‘People don’t want to hire someone just because they have autism?’ I see how hard my son works and how hard his classmates work. I think this hasn’t been on anybody’s radar. When you do realize it, you think, ‘What steps could I do to add these individuals to our workforce?’”

Just a Taste's initial hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Castro said the hours will expand in the coming weeks.

“These individuals are such a delight,” she said. “They make anybody smile. The town of Fair Lawn has been absolutely incredible. We’ve had a very warm welcome across the board.”

Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: noda@northjersey.com; X: @snoda11

What was once the site of a vacant office building has been transformed into Livana Fair Lawn: An upscale rental community that offers an elevated living experience for those 55 years and older in Bergen County.

Located at 17-00 Pollitt Drive, the property is the second of several developments coming to New Jersey under the new Livana brand by real estate development firm Kushner Companies. There is also an existing all-ages community in East Hanover, as well as four to-be-built developments in Livingston, Monmouth, Long Branch and Colts Neck.

"Livana, which means 'moon' in Hebrew, was chosen for its deep symbolism. Just like the moon moves through many phases, life is filled with cycles — whether you're starting out, embracing change or entering a new chapter," said Nicole Kushner Meyer, president of Kushner Companies. "Our communities are thoughtfully designed to reflect and support these different phases, offering spaces that grow with you and inspire you throughout your journey."

Meyer said the Livana brand is using furnishings from RH to provide a high-end and timeless interior in each of its communities. This consists of natural materials, neutral colors and minimalist designs to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, especially at the Fair Lawn location.

Designed by Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners, Livana Fair Lawn is located just minutes from the Radburn train station and Route 208. The development, which welcomed its first residents in October, features 307 one- and two-bedroom residences — with 41 of them being affordable housing units — starting at $2,850 per month.

Each unit includes amenities such as oversized windows, chef-inspired kitchens with Caesarstone countertops and stainless steel appliances, spa-like bathrooms, built-in closet systems and full-sized in-unit washers and dryers. And because the property is shaped like a figure 8 — with two courtyards that house a pool, a putting green, bocce courts, outdoor grills and other attractions — some residences also come with a private outdoor patio space.

Meyer said that when creating these spaces, they focused on utilizing design elements that were more common in condos rather than in other rental communities. She said this resulted in a more homey environment for residents who may be coming there from a single-family home.

"We aimed for a more elevated aesthetic by incorporating travertine and natural stone elements, creating a refined condo experience that feels luxurious and sophisticated — as opposed to a typical rental," she said.

Outside of the residences, Livana Fair Lawn has spaces like a fitness center and yoga studio, sauna and steam rooms, a salon for hair styling and manicures, a pet spa and more. Meyer said they are also in the process of adding a children's room with toys that residents can use for grandchildren or other young relatives who might be visiting.

There's also a multi-function room with a kitchen and living room area, a resident club room with games available for residents to play and a movie and library suite. Meyer said these spaces are where residents come together — such as through their book club, Mahjong club or potluck events — but that they can also be reserved for private entertaining.

In the package room, there's a designated wrapping station that's free to use and a TULU unit where residents can borrow household items for no additional cost, or pick up a late-night snack. In the conference room, residents have access to a printer and TV or can participate in the technology classes that Livana hosts.

There is also a Livana community app, which residents use for digital entry to their residences and the property's amenities. It's also a one-stop shop for residents to access community announcements, submit 24/7 maintenance requests, utilize the property's full concierge service and manage rent payments, among other things.

Overall, Meyer said that each Livana property will feature individualized amenities that are curated to the demographic that they're focusing on in each area. And because Livana Fair Lawn is catering to residents who are 55 and older, she said this location is all about providing an all-inclusive lifestyle.

"From our perspective, Livana truly reflects the excellence of our development team. It's not just about building a high-quality product; it's about crafting an elevated luxury lifestyle experience," Meyer said. "Each community is unique because we thoughtfully consider the residents and their needs before the design process even begins."

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.