TOWNSHIP OF FREEHOLD NOTICE TO BID FOR TWO (2) SHOPPING MALL LIQUOR LICENSES   PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that by Resolution R-26-84 adopted April 14, 2026 (the “Resolution”) the Township of Freehold resolved to issue Two (2) Special Shopping Mall Liquor Licenses by public sale to the highest qualified Bidders and invites bids therefore.   The Bids will be opened on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud at the Freehold Township Municipal Building located at 1 Municipal Plaza, Freehold, NJ 07728. The minimum acceptable bid for a Special Shopping Mall License is $550,000.00.   Bids shall be accepted only from those bidders who qualify to hold a Shopping Mall License under the standards set forth in the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, N.J.S.A. 33:1-1 et seq., the regulations promulgated thereunder at N.J.A.C. 13:2-1.1 et seq., the Freehold Township Code and all applicable local ordinances, and the Resolution. The Township reserves the right to reject all bids where the highest bid is not accepted. In addition, the Township reserves the right to postpone or cancel this sale at any time prior to the opening of the bid.   Any Shopping Mall liquor license shall only be issued to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages for immediate consumption on the premises of an establishment that operates or plans to operate as a food and beverage establishment located within the Freehold Raceway Mall. Said license shall not be transferred for use in connection with an establishment operating on any other property than the Freehold Raceway Mall.   A prospective bidder must demonstrate ownership or present a contract or lease agreement to operate such an establishment within the Freehold Raceway Mall. A prospective bidder shall also specifically confirm in its Certification that the premises to be licensed constitutes a food and beverage establishment located within the Freehold Raceway Mall as set forth in N.J.S.A. 33:1-12.55. Adequate proof of compliance with this requirement must be included with the bid submission. The Township reserves the right to request additional information, if it finds same to be in its best interest.   Interested bidders may obtain copies of the forms necessary to qualify to be a bidder and for the submission of bids from the office of the Township Clerk, (732) 294-2010 and may be obtained Monday through Friday, except holidays, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All prospective bidders must complete the forms, all paperwork associated therewith, and be determined to be a qualified bidder to have their bids considered and accepted.   All prospective bidders must submit to the Township Clerk a full and complete Alcoholic Beverage Control license application form, Certification of Proof of Compliance, and separate sealed bid packet. The Certification of Proof of Compliance shall include a statement that the prospective bidder meets any and all conditions or requirements contained in this Notice and knows of no reason why it would be disqualified from having an interest in a Shopping Mall Liquor License in New Jersey.   All Bids must be submitted and enclosed in a separate, sealed envelope from pre-qualification documents. All Bids must be marked appropriately and have the NAME AND ADDRESS of the bidder on the outside of the envelope. Bids may be hand delivered or mailed by certified mail to the above-mentioned address. No other forms will be accepted. No bid shall be considered which does not contain proof of pre-qualification (full and complete ABC license application and Certification of Proof of Compliance).   Pre-Qualification documents and sealed bid packets shall be accepted until Thursday, May 28 2026 at 11:00 AM at the office of the Township Clerk, One Municipal Plaza, Freehold, New Jersey 07728. Bids of applicants who do not preliminarily qualify will be returned. The Township is not responsible for any proposed mailed or hand-delivered which is lost in transit or delivered late.   On Thursday May 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM or shortly thereafter, in the Municipal Building, One Municipal Plaza, Freehold, New Jersey 07728, the Township Clerk shall publicly announce those applicants who preliminarily meet the qualifications for bidding as fixed by law, rules, regulations, ordinances and the Resolution.   On Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM in the Municipal Building, One Municipal Plaza, Freehold, New Jersey 07728, the sealed bids of the preliminarily qualified bidders shall be opened by the Township Clerk.   By Resolution of the Township Committee, the bids from the highest preliminarily qualified bidders will be accepted. Within five (5) days of the adoption of the resolution, the balance of the bid amount shall be paid by the successful bidders to the Township by cash or certified check. Completion of said process includes payment of all applicable state and municipal licensing fees, satisfactory outcome of municipal background checks to investigate the source of funds used to purchase the license, the receipt of favorable State and/or Federal criminal background checks, and the compliance with the publication, hearing and resolution requirement under N.J.A.C. 13:2-2.1 et seq. for the issuance of a license.   Sanabel Abouzeina, Township Clerk, Freehold Township ($224.40)