Welcome To 'The District'

High-End Development Creates A Great Gathering Space

By tara delorenzo

As Upper Saddle River enters a renaissance of new amenities, longtime residents Stephen Sweeney and Frank Inserra have been working on a high-end development to create a welcoming space for family and friends to gather called The District | USR.

Over the past few years, there has been a growth of development in Upper Saddle River, including the completion of a luxury townhome community built by Toll Brothers, with 200+ units and the installation of a multi-use eight-acre sports and recreational facility, which will include sports fields and walking paths for residents. And adjacent to this new facility, The District | USR will be opening Summer 2023.

“This mixed-use, high-end retail center is fashioned after an eclectic Manhattan street,” said Sweeney. The District will feature a number of eateries, including a high-end, two-story, full-service restaurant; Rush Bowls, which specializes in acai bowls and smoothies; Pierre & Michel Authentic French Bakery, which serves Lilly coffee and French pasteries; Bogota Savings Bank; and national brands, such as Ivy Rehab and Deka Lash. Additionally, the center will have valet parking and a large esplanade with over 3,000 feet of outdoor space to accommodate visitors. A notable amenity for The District | USR is the liquor license obtained for the property.

“Our retail development is the first in the history of the town,” Sweeney said. “It’s exciting to develop a high-end, mixed-use retail environment that will serve the residents. We think it’ll be great to enjoy a glass of wine or sit at the bar and have a cocktail before having dinner. This is unheard of in the boundary of

Upper Saddle River. They’ve never had a ‘downtown’ retail dining experience in the municipality, so it’s a big step forward as far as an amenity.”

Sweeney has been a longtime resident of Upper Saddle River (he moved there in 1972) and Inserra lives there as well. The Inserra family is best known for their ShopRite grocery stores throughout the state. For these two developers, The District | USR is a self-proclaimed passion project. Just as much as they hope to create a place for their own families to be proud of, they are also hoping to give other families a place to spend quality time together.

“We’re investing in and creating new opportunities for the next generation,” said Inserra. “It’s something we’re excited about. To be able to invest resources to ensure our kids’ kids can enjoy a new environment that has all the amenities – we just think it is great for the town, its residents, and the local area. As we move on, it’s nice to know that so many people will smile, laugh, eat and share experiences in a place we built from the ground up.”

As locals too, they were able to look critically at Upper Saddle River to think about what the area might benefit from, which helped them select the ideal location, tenants and retailers for the property. Their goal for the center was to provide a range of experiences where families can gather and relax.

Having a bank at The District | USR, Sweeney and Inserra were excited to partner with Bogota Savings Bank, one of the oldest and most tenured in New Jersey. And with the two-story restaurant, ambiance was a critical consideration – they ensured it was fully equipped to provide a firstclass dining experience, including outdoor seating, firepits and an outdoor cocktail area.

“The District | USR offers a great environment where you can walk a short distance from the ball field into the facility and have dinner, or dine while your children are playing their recreational sports. You can enjoy a coffee or drink, or perhaps an acai bowl or dessert and relax,” Sweeney said. “We think it’ll be great for the community.”

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The property itself was acquired 10 years ago, but development started in November of 2020. The pandemic did cause some shortages that delayed the opening, but the property owners are eager to open the facility’s doors. Based on feedback, the community is also excited.

“The reality is the community can’t wait,” Inserra said. “To have a beautiful upscale French bakery with pastries, croissants, and all of those offerings, where they can gather and have a quiche or a coffee – and then have a facial or a white tablecloth lunch – we think this is much needed in USR. It creates an environment that doesn’t exist currently in the municipality. Because we have plenty of parking and open spaces, this should be an enjoyable and safe environment for the town, kids, moms, and dads to spend time and be a part of the active lifestyle that the younger population is seeking.”

In addition to the retail space, The District | USR also plans to host car shows and play movies along the side wall of the building for families. Sweeney and Inserra also anticipate hosting vendors on the weekends with kiosks so that families can get ice cream after a game. With WiFi readily available, the developers anticipate patrons can work comfortably at the Authentic French Bakery or restaurant.

“This is a renaissance for the municipality and it’s just a beautiful experience with the recreational park and our lovely retail experience,” Sweeney said. “We want to invite everyone in the area to come and be a part of it.”

The District | USR is located at 558 East Crescent Ave. in Upper Saddle River. More information can be found at thedistrictusr.com.