Dressbarn Opens 195,000 Square Foot HQ in Mahwah

The new 195,000 square foot Dressbarn headquarters is now open in Mahwah, company officials recently announced in a release.

Dressbarn’s parent company, Ascena Retail, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Macarthur Boulevard location last Friday that including New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Mahwah Mayor William Laforet, Ascena Retail Group President & CEO David Jaffe, and dressbarn President Jeff Gerstel. 

The group assembled to celebrate the official completion of renovations on the 145,000 square foot office building that was already on the site, and construction of a separate 50,000 square foot building next door. The buildings, which will serve as Ascena’s North American HQ, includes a glass atrium slicing through the existing building, a full-service café, a fitness center and a roof-top garden.

The project was the first in the state to receive incentives from the Economic Development Authority’s Legacy Grow New Jersey Assistance Program. It moved to the location from a smaller headquarters in Rockland County, N.Y.

“Ascena Retail Group and Dressbarn are genuinely thrilled at the tremendous reception our company and associates have received here in New Jersey,” Jaffe said in the release.

“Our new headquarters facility in Mahwah creates a  unique campus-like environment for our associates. The space provides a bright, airy, natural setting that was designed to foster a sustainable workplace environment.”

Guadagno cited Christie Administration economic policies as one of the factors that led to the company’s decision to move to NJ.

“Ascena Retail Group had a choice and they chose New Jersey,” she said in the release.

“The company’s new headquarters facility brought hundreds of new jobs to Mahwah and surrounding communities. This efforts shows that by working collaboratively with New Jersey’s business and community leaders, we can create jobs and further grow our economy.”

As part of the economic incentives, the company must also pursue green initiatives and maintain an at least silver status from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

Ascena operates several brands in addition to Dressbarn, including Lane Bryant, Catherines, Justice, Brothers, Cacique, and Maurices.