(NEWARK, NJ) -- Audible, the world's leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, has announced a wave of new business openings supported by its Business Attraction Program, underscoring the company's continuing commitment to economic growth and neighborhood vitality in its headquarters city.
Three businesses are opening their doors in Newark this spring: Newark Culture Club, Legacy 27 and HealHaus. Together, they join a growing portfolio of more than 30 businesses supported through Audible's Business Attraction Program, which has invested $4.1 million, activated over 95,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, and created or sustained 174 jobs across Newark's Tubman Square.
A ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the Legacy 27 opening will be held on May 21, 2026 at 2:00pm, featuring remarks from Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, owner Faith Oluwadare, Audible's Global Head of Urban Innovation Aisha Glover, and more.
"Every business that opens its doors in Newark through our Business Attraction Program is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of the city," said Aisha Glover, Global Head of Urban Innovation at Audible. "With HealHaus, Newark Culture Club, and Legacy 27 joining our growing community of supported founders, we're proud to continue building an ecosystem where diverse entrepreneurs can thrive, create jobs, and strengthen the fabric of our city."
HealHaus, a Brooklyn-born community wellness destination, is set to open its Newark location at The Pillars, Audible's 15,000-square-foot retail and community hub at 33 Washington Street in the Arts and Education District. Founded by entrepreneur Darian Hall, HealHaus prioritizes mental, physical, and spiritual health, offering daily yoga, meditation, and breathwork classes, specialty weekend workshops, and a wellness café serving chef-curated smoothies, teas, elixirs, and grab-and-go food items.
Newark Culture Club, located at 563 Broad Street, is an entertainment and hospitality venue offering live comedy, music, and a full bar. The venture was founded by Justin Williams, who has spent more than a decade producing the beloved Brick City Comedy Revue, one of the city's longest-running comedy showcases.
Legacy 27, a new dining destination located at 27 Central Avenue, is an expansion of House 157, a celebrated Black-owned, woman-owned, and immigrant-owned restaurant based in Roselle Park, NJ, founded by Faith Oluwadare. Known for its inventive blend of African, Caribbean, Latin, and European culinary traditions, House 157 has become a staple of the New Jersey dining scene. Legacy 27 will bring that same creative spirit and cultural richness to downtown Newark.
Launched in 2023, Audible's Business Attraction Program is designed to spur economic development in Newark by helping innovative companies expand or relocate to the city, while increasing opportunities for founders who have historically faced barriers to access. The program offers up to $250,000 in grants for rent, startup, or fit-out costs, along with mentorship, networking opportunities, relocation assistance, and more to help businesses thrive in Newark. To date, the program has supported more than 30 companies, invested $4.1 million, activated over 95,000 square feet of commercial and retail space in Newark, and created or sustained 174 jobs across the city–a significant milestone especially at a time when it remains challenging for small businesses to launch and grow.
These new business openings follow the October 2025 launch of The Pillars, Audible's flagship 15,000-square-foot retail and community hub at 33 Washington Street, which serves as an anchor for the city's Arts and Education District. The district already attracts over 70,000 monthly visitors, reflecting the growing appeal of Newark as a destination for dining, wellness, and cultural experiences. These investments reflect Audible's broader commitment to Newark, its global headquarters city, where it generates nearly $2 billion in annual economic impact across the city and surrounding region.
"Newark's growth is powered by collaboration between our city government, our corporate partners, and the entrepreneurs who bring vision and energy to our neighborhoods," said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. "When we work together to lower barriers and open doors for diverse business owners, our entire city benefits. Every new storefront that opens in our city creates jobs, strengthens our commercial corridors, and sends a clear message: Newark is a place where entrepreneurs can build, grow, and succeed."
Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible's catalog includes more than 1,000,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers.
As an anchor corporate tenant of downtown Newark, New Jersey since 2007, Audible is deeply committed to the city's long-term economic and cultural vitality. Through various initiatives, programs and direct investments, Audible generates nearly $2 billion in economic impact annually in Newark and the surrounding area.
