The new neighborhood cafe brings together specialty coffee, natural and organic wines, food, books and community-focused experiences along District Drive

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cafe Exchange, a new coffee shop and social cafe at The Park in Berkeley Heights, will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, November 15, welcoming residents, office tenants and local visitors to experience one of the newest additions to The Park's growing District Drive neighborhood.

Designed to bring people together through coffee, food, books, art and community-driven experiences, Cafe Exchange offers a welcoming atmosphere that goes beyond the traditional cafe. The concept features specialty coffee from ONYX Coffee Lab, and thoughtfully curated food offerings including freshly baked breads, pastries, sandwiches, and salads. A key feature of the cafe is an expansive book program that includes a dedicated book exchange room, a library to enjoy a book while in the space, and a bookstore. Curated works by local artists further enrich the cafe, creating an environment that encourages connection, creativity and discovery throughout the day. As the day transitions into evening, Cafe Exchange takes on a new energy, inviting guests to gather over drink offerings focusing on natural and organic wines, alongside a special late-night food menu, extending the cafe experience well beyond traditional daytime hours.

Cafe Exchange's Grand Opening celebration will take place on November 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., inviting guests to explore the new space and enjoy a morning of live music, complimentary coffee, tea and food, exciting activations and giveaways. The following day, Cafe Exchange will be open daily for regular business hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with its full food and beverage offerings available for guests to enjoy.

"Cafe Exchange is a place where community can thrive. With great coffee, thoughtfully curated food and a welcoming atmosphere, we've created a space for people to slow down, connect and spend time together," said Justin Connell, Director of Cafe Exchange Operations. "From our monthly events and book exchange program to our food and beverage experiences, Cafe Exchange is about more than just coffee, it's about creating meaningful connections and bringing people together. We're excited to welcome the community and invite everyone to join us on November 15 for our Grand Opening celebration and continue to be a daily part of our community's lives."

Located along District Drive, the cafe adds another dimension to The Park's evolving live-work-play destination with resort-type offerings, where hospitality, wellness, dining and community experiences come together in a walkable, neighborhood-inspired setting. As The Park continues to introduce new restaurants, retailers, residences and lifestyle amenities, Cafe Exchange will serve as a gathering place for the people who live, work and visit The Park.

In addition to Cafe Exchange, the growing lineup of retailers and restaurants on-site includes Bathhouse, Boschetto, Grain & Cane, Starbucks, Four Spoons Ice Cream Company, Doner Shack, Dogtopia, Greatness Wins, Prime IV Hydration & Wellness, BodyRok, Emberside Brewery, Rosa Azul, BASH, and BASH's MODO Hi-Fi Listening Bar, bringing the whole campus together into one vibrant destination.

District Drive also includes RT Residences, two luxury residential towers, with the first building, RT500, that began welcoming residents on August 1, 2026. The campus also features a 176-room Embassy Suites hotel, a 112,000-square-foot Life Time, more than 1.5 million square feet of "work resort" office and flexible workspace, miles of walking trails, public parks, and a growing collection of hospitality, culinary, wellness, and community-focused experiences through ParkLife Events.

About The Park

The Park, formerly known as Connell Corporate Park, is undergoing a $500 million repositioning to bring urban energy and community to the suburbs. The Park is situated on a walkable, 185-acre campus with a 176-room Embassy Suites Hotel, 112,000 square foot Lifetime Fitness center and over 1.5 million square feet of work resort offices, flexible workspaces and collaborative lounges all anchored by a hospitality, culinary, and wellness culture. At the heart of The Park is District Drive, a main street style downtown, which will include 328 apartments and 160,000 square feet of restaurants and entertainment retail, bringing the whole campus together into one vibrant destination. To learn more about The Park, please visit: https://theparkatnj.com/

About Cafe Exchange

More than a place to stop by for a quick bite of drink, Cafe Exchange is a place to stay, connect, and enjoy. The space brings the community together through a curated antique book library, a book exchange program, bookstore, greeting card craft station, stage for performances and readings, and plenty of seating areas to work, lounge, and socialize.

Enjoy coffee and food throughout the day or unwind with wine and desserts in the evening. With a versatile space designed for gathering, Cafe Exchange is also an ideal destination for private events and catering. To learn more about Cafe Exchange, please visit: https://www.cafeexchange.com/

About The Connell Company

Founded in 1926, The Connell Company has grown into one of the largest diversified, privately held corporations in the United States. Throughout its history, the company has remained family-owned, with five generations of the Connell family involved in its leadership. With almost 100 years in business, Connell has evolved from a commodities-based organization to a real estate, hospitality, and finance-based firm. To learn more about The Connell Company, please visit: https://connellco.com/

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SOURCE The Connell Company