Von Maur, the privately owed, family-run department store chain, plans to open an anchor store at the Freehold Raceway Mall in Freehold, N.J., next fall.
The new location is Von Maur’s first store in New Jersey, and reflects the Davenport, Iowa-based retailer’s ongoing expansion strategy, particularly in the northern region of the country. In 2024, Von Maur opened a department store in South Hills Village in Pittsburgh, marking the company’s entry into Pennsylvania. Last spring, Von Maur opened its first location in North Dakota at the West Acres Mall in Fargo, N.D. While Von Maur slowly opens stores, certain other department store operators, namely Macy’s, Saks Global and Nordstrom, have recently closed some locations.
The three-level, 164,000-square-foot Von Maur unit in Freehold will be the 40th department store in the chain. It’s a former Nordstrom store.
“It’s going to be a top-to-bottom overhaul,” said Jim von Maur, president and fourth-generation leader of Von Maur Department Stores, in an interview. “The interior will be a complete remodel, and we will clean up and enhance the exterior.”
As is, he said, “We’ve got a beautiful store.”
In past expansion moves, Von Maur has taken over a variety of former retail sites, including those from Jacobson’s and Montgomery Ward.
Von Maur said no additional department stores are planned for 2026, though he added, “We are just very opportunistic. We would go anywhere we can to get into a quality location.”
Von Maur will be opening additional Dry Goods locations in 2026. The Von Maur-owned Dry Goods is a women’s specialty chain with approximately 90 doors.
Among the brands expected to be sold at the newest Von Maur store are Dagne Dover, Marine Layer, Bobbi Brown, Rhone, Unrl, Vuori, Peter Millar, Travis Mathew, Hammitt, Varley, Marc Jacobs, Free People, Happy Camp3r and Liverpool Los Angeles. Von Maur is known for its high level of customer service, including an interest-free charge card, a robust rewards program and complimentary services such as gift wrapping and shipping.
Jim von Maur at the opening of the Von Maur department store in South Hills Village in Pittsburgh in 2024.
JMilteer Photography
In his prepared statement, von Maur said, “Freehold Raceway Mall is the area’s premier shopping destination, and we look forward to joining its vibrant retail community. As we continue to expand across the country, this new location represents an exciting milestone for our company.” The store will employ approximately 150 full-time and part-time associates.
“Von Maur is a best-in-class anchor that serves as a catalyst for our Freehold center and underscores our commitment to bring elevated brands that complement our retail mix,” said Jack Hsieh, president and chief executive officer of Macerich, the real estate investment trust and owner of the mall. “Von Maur’s addition reinforces Macerich’s ‘Path Forward’ strategy to deliver new anchor tenants that have clearly demonstrated the ability to drive traffic and sales across a property.”
“The store will feature the company’s hallmark residential ambience, plush furnishings, open-floor plan and live music from the store’s grand piano,” von Maur said in its announcement.
Von Maur also has a five-year, $100 million plan to renovate its stores underway.
Von Maur was founded in 1872 in downtown Davenport.
