May 19,2024
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools expanded its presence in New Jersey with a lease for more than 9,000 square feet at Columbia Park Center in North Bergen, a deal handled by GRID Real Estate. The business, owned by Danielle and Timothy Sporcic, took the space at 3131 John F. Kennedy Boulevard under an agreement with landlord Madison International Realty and opened in fall 2024, offering year-round indoor swimming lessons to children from four months to 12 years old.
Bringing Swim Lessons to Hudson County
Danielle Sporcic said the goal behind the location was straightforward: give local families in Hudson County access to swim instruction close to home. “We are passionate about bringing Aqua-Tots to Hudson County to provide swim lessons to local children and provide job opportunities,” she said. “As a parent of small children, I stand by the Aqua-Tots mission to save lives by teaching children how to become safe and confident swimmers for life. Our child-focused facility will be the only one of its kind in the area with bright colors, the perfect pool temperature and a welcoming, friendly and experienced team.”
That kind of specialized, family-oriented use is a good example of the shift happening in shopping centers across New Jersey, where landlords are increasingly filling space with service-based tenants that draw repeat visits rather than relying only on traditional retail.
Inside the Deal
GRID Real Estate’s Bobby Antonicello Jr. represented Aqua-Tots on the lease, while RIPCO Real Estate’s Jake Frantzman, Florian Suserman, and Todd Cooper represented the landlord. Columbia Park Center sits just outside the Lincoln Tunnel and is anchored by well-known names including ShopRite, Old Navy, Big Lots, and The Gap, giving Aqua-Tots a steady flow of shoppers already passing through the center on a daily basis.
The location’s proximity to the Lincoln Tunnel also makes it convenient for families coming from across Hudson County and beyond, which fits with Aqua-Tots’ broader strategy of placing its swim schools in accessible, high-traffic retail centers rather than standalone buildings.
A Strong Fit for the Center
For Columbia Park Center, adding Aqua-Tots rounds out a tenant mix that already covers grocery, apparel, and general retail with a family-focused amenity that gives shoppers another reason to visit regularly. It is the kind of lease that strengthens a shopping center’s long-term stability, since swim lesson customers tend to return week after week for months or years at a time.
If you are a landlord looking to round out your tenant mix or a business searching for the right retail space in North Jersey, GRID Real Estate’s leasing team can help you find the right fit.
Contact GRID Real Estate
Bobby Antonicello Jr., Licensed Real Estate Broker
bobby@gridcre.com | O: (201) 300-6489
https://re-nj.com/swim-school-
The information contained in this post has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. GRID Real Estate LLC has not independently verified this information and makes no guarantees, warranties, or representations as to its accuracy or completeness.
