NEWARK -- For the first time in at least a decade, a department store has plans to open its doors in Newark.

Burlington Coat Factory, a discount national retailer, plans to open a 60,000 square-foot location on 729-737 Broad Street, Carmelo Garcia, executive vice president and chief real estate officer for the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation told NJ Advance Media.

"We've been working on that for a year," Garcia said. He said Burlington had plans to retrofit the space and open in 2019.

"The job creation behind it is one of the most pertinent factors, that's the real driving force, behind us recruiting and accommodating businesses," he said. "When you have these sort of engines that are coming in and they're stimulating the economy and creating jobs."

He said bringing in a store like Burlington to Newark would help draw even more businesses to the city's main commercial corridors.

Garcia said Burlington is waiting for the city to approve a tax abatement before executing its lease and beginning construction later this year.

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook.