ROI: True to Newark: Leasing agent of Ironside project hopes to bring flavor of city to its restaurant options

Jason Pierson knows retail leasing in urban areas up and down the state.

More importantly, he knows Newark.

So, when Pierson Commercial was named by owner Edison Properties earlier this month as the retail leasing broker for Ironside Newark — the soon-to-be completely refurbished warehouse that will anchor the city’s latest park, Mulberry Commons — he knew exactly the type of restaurant he hopes will anchor the 75,000 square feet of retail that will fill the bottom floors below the office space.

A restaurant from the Ironbound.

“We want to do something that showcases Newark,” Pierson said. “We’re not just looking for national brands. We also want great local operators. And we would love to have a restaurant from the Ironbound be a part of the project.