MAYOR BARAKA AND AUDIBLE TO OPEN ‘THE PILLARS’ RETAIL HUB AT 33 WASHINGTON STREET ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, AT 11 A.M.

Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Audible CEO Bob Carrigan will join with other dignitaries to cut the ribbon to open "The Pillars" retail hub on Wednesday, October 15, at 11 a.m., at 33 Washington Street. This innovative downtown locus will be a bold new model for investment in urban communities. The company has renovated the 15,000-square-foot ground floor and facade of the prominent modernist building, originally designed by architect Welton Becket, in Newark's vibrant Arts and Education District, transforming the space into a hub for local businesses, visitors and community.

The Pillars will serve as an anchor for the neighborhood, featuring an inviting central court complete with Audible listening booths, and three distinct retail spaces that blend wellness, artisanal home goods, and hand-crafted beauty products-with a fourth anchor food and beverage tenant to be announced, opening in 2026. Tenants will sublease from Audible at subsidized rates and receive support through the company's Business Attraction Program, which offers funding, mentorship, networking opportunities and support for retail and startup founders who have historically faced barriers to access.

"This project is the epitome of the high-caliber innovation and community-focused development that drives Newark forward," said Mayor Baraka. "When we invest to bring new amenities to our neighborhoods while creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, it strengthens the fabric of our whole city. The Pillars adds to the vibrancy of Newark's Arts and Education District, and spotlights how we build a more equitable and prosperous city by reimagining spaces that serve us all."

"The Pillars represents a new paradigm for corporate investment in our headquarters city," said Mr. Carrigan. "By transforming physical spaces and directly supporting local businesses with financial assistance through our Business Attraction Program, we're building an ecosystem that sustains entrepreneurship, drives foot traffic, and celebrates community. I'm thrilled to see The Pillars become part of the incredible momentum building in downtown Newark."

At opening, The Pillars will feature three distinctive businesses, each selected for its innovative approach to retail and demonstrated commitment to community engagement:

• Tansy, a woman-owned home goods and plant store, brings its unique vision of socially conscious home décor to Newark. Featuring products from local artists, charitable organizations and global sources, Tansy is dedicated to community and education, offering regular classes in plant care, terrarium building, and creative arts.

• Pooka Pure & Simple marks a homecoming to Newark, where founder Dawn Fitch will bring her award-winning bath and body products back to the city. With interactive product customization experiences and weekly DIY workshops, Pooka represents the kind of innovative retail experience that makes destinations memorable.

• HealHaus is a community-focused wellness destination that prioritizes mental, physical and spiritual health. HealHaus offers daily yoga, meditation and breathwork classes, as well as specialty workshops on weekends. It also features a wellness café serving chef-curated smoothies, teas, elixirs, and select grab-and-go food items.

This latest investment in Newark's revitalization comes at a crucial moment for the city. The Arts and Education District already attracts over 70,000 monthly visitors, with more than half of these during the weekend-highlighting the area's growing appeal as a vibrant destination for dining, shopping, and cultural experiences. Of the more than 150 businesses serving the area, 40 percent are independent restaurants-demonstrating the district's strong foundation of entrepreneurial spirit. The Pillars will also tap into the recent nationwide momentum around experiential brick-and-mortar retail, with interactive offerings that meet growing customer demand for unique, tangible experiences that can't be replicated online.

The Pillars is part of Audible's larger neighborhood strategy that includes its 2019 restoration of the historic Innovation Cathedral, its work to help reimagine Newark's Harriet Tubman Square, and its ongoing calendar of public events and programming. Through initiatives like the Business Attraction Program and the Newark Artist Collaboration, which commissions public art from local artists, Audible generates nearly $2 billion annually in economic impact in Newark.

About Audible

Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible's catalog includes more than 1,000,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers. Learn more at https://www.audible.com/about.

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