Audible didn’t just open another retail space in Newark. The audio storytelling company created a heartbeat for the community. On October 15, 2025, the company unveiled The Pillars at 33 Washington Street. This 15,000-square-foot wellness hub celebrates Black women entrepreneurs and collective care.
The project marks a historic first for Audible. The company signed a lease for a non-business purpose for the first time ever. Located in Newark’s Arts and Education District, The Pillars houses three distinct Black- and woman-owned businesses. Each space offers experiences that nurture rest, creativity, and connection.
Black Women Entrepreneurs Lead Newark’s New Community Space
The Pillars features three carefully selected businesses. Tansy, HealHaus, and Pooka Pure & Simple each bring unique offerings. Dawn Fitch, a Newark native and beauty trailblazer, leads Pooka Pure & Simple. She launched her clean-beauty brand 25 years ago in this very city.
Fitch is bringing her business back home with a special twist. Her new space includes The Bloom Bar. Visitors can blend custom fragrances at this interactive perfume bar. The experience combines wellness, creativity, and community connection.
Celebrating Black Girl Softness Through Wellness and Beauty
“We call it Black girl softness,” Fitch says with a smile. “Things are so hard for us right now, and I don’t think we’re getting the love we deserve.” Her vision transforms rest into activism. The Pillars offers a sanctuary where Black women can simply exist without pressure.
“When people come in here, they can blend fragrances, talk to their neighbor, and find joy in scent,” Fitch explains. Fragrance creates powerful emotional connections. Scents transport people back to cherished memories. A grandmother’s coat or a childhood cookie can spark joy through smell alone.
Pooka Pure & Simple Returns Home After 25 Years
October marks an anniversary month for Pooka Pure & Simple. Fitch feels the emotional weight of this homecoming. “We’re most excited to reopen retail, but more importantly, to be back in the city of Newark,” she tells ESSENCE. The timing feels perfectly aligned with her brand’s journey.
Audible’s Business Attraction Grant made this return possible. “What Audible has built with these pillars—it’s like a pillar of health, wellness, beauty,” Fitch says. The support goes beyond financial assistance. It represents corporate investment in community restoration and Black women’s entrepreneurship.
Creating Spaces Where Rest Becomes Revolutionary
Fitch’s vision centers on making softness accessible. “This isn’t just about products,” she emphasizes. Visitors can blend fragrances or simply sit and rest. The space welcomes people to hang out without purchasing anything. This approach challenges typical retail expectations.
“You can come to Pooka, blend your fragrance, or just sit in one of the chairs and rest,” Fitch adds. “We want it to be a place where you hang out and rejuvenate yourself.” Therefore, the space becomes a sanctuary. Rest and rejuvenation take center stage over transactions.
Audible Makes Historic Investment in Community Development
Aisha Browne Glover pitched The Pillars idea four years ago. As Audible’s VP of Urban Innovation, she championed this bold experiment. “It’s the first time Audible has ever signed a lease for a non-business purpose,” Glover explains. The company wanted to activate the building across from their headquarters.
“This is a big deal for Audible—and for Newark,” Glover says. The project embodies Audible’s Business Attraction Program. This initiative provides funding, mentorship, and subsidized rent. Local and underrepresented founders receive crucial support to thrive.
Selecting Businesses That Build Community Gravity
Audible used a thoughtful selection process for tenants. “We were looking for diverse retailers who weren’t chains—businesses that offered experiences, not just products,” Glover explains. The company sought spaces where people would return repeatedly. Team-building events, connection, and joy drove the vision.
Each business underwent careful evaluation. “We looked at ownership, sustainability, track records, social media—everything,” Glover says. The team balanced business metrics with community needs. They wanted to respond authentically to Newark’s residents and neighborhood character.
Experience Over Products: A New Retail Model
The Pillars represents a shift in retail thinking. “The goal was never just to fill space, but to create community gravity—a place people want to gather,” Glover explains. This approach prioritizes long-term community building. Short-term profits take a back seat to sustainable relationships.
Fitch recognizes this evolving consumer desire. “People don’t just want products anymore—they want community,” she says. Modern shoppers seek hands-on experiences and meaningful conversations. They crave spaces where rest feels permitted and celebrated.
Newark’s Arts District Gains Wellness Destination
The Pillars strengthens Newark’s Arts and Education District. The location offers easy access for residents and visitors. The 15,000-square-foot space provides room for multiple businesses to flourish. Each tenant contributes to the district’s creative energy and economic vitality.
This wellness hub serves as a model for corporate community investment. Audible demonstrates how businesses can support local economies meaningfully. Moreover, the project centers Black women’s leadership and vision. It proves that corporate resources can fuel grassroots entrepreneurship effectively.
Building Community Through Joy and Connection
The Pillars goes beyond typical retail experiences. It creates opportunities for genuine human connection. Visitors can participate in fragrance blending, wellness activities, and community events. Each interaction builds relationships that extend beyond single transactions.
“That’s what Pooka is about, and that’s what The Pillars will be,” Fitch concludes. The space honors Black women’s need for softness in challenging times. It transforms rest from luxury into necessity. Ultimately, The Pillars proves that community care can exist at the heart of business innovation.
