NORTH BRANCH SALE Q&A
What is happening at North Branch?
The sale of the North Branch Service Center remains in progress but is taking longer than originally anticipated. While that process continues, GSHNJ is moving forward with the next planned step in the transition: the closure of the North Branch retail store.
The retail store will remain open through September 30, 2026, to support members and troops with their back-to-troop and fall Girl Scout needs. Beginning October 1, 2026, the North Branch retail store will permanently close.
The October 1 closure applies only to retail.
Can I still shop at North Branch for my fall Girl Scout needs?
Yes. The North Branch retail store will remain open throughout August and September. Members and troops can shop for uniforms, insignia, troop supplies, and other Girl Scout merchandise through September 30, 2026.
When will the North Branch retail store permanently close?
September 30, 2026, will be the final day of retail operations at North Branch. The retail store will permanently close beginning October 1.
Does the entire North Branch Service Center close on October 1?
No. The October 1 closure applies only to the North Branch retail store.
Why is the retail store closing before the property sale is complete?
The retail store closure is a planned step in the broader North Branch transition as GSHNJ prepares for the property’s eventual sale and shifts merchandise access to other channels.
Where can I shop after the North Branch retail store closes?
Members will continue to have several ways to purchase Girl Scout merchandise after October 1, 2026. Members can shop in person at the Westfield Service Center or Girl Scout Leadership Center in Newark or shop online. Online order pickup through the lockers at North Branch will remain available while operations continue at the property.
Why did GSHNJ decide to sell the North Branch Service Center?
The decision to sell the North Branch Service Center was rooted in aligning GSHNJ’s resources with our mission and ensuring the council’s long-term sustainability. While the property holds historical and sentimental value, high maintenance costs, decreasing usage, and changing membership patterns in the region made maintaining the property less practical for GSHNJ’s future.
The transition provides an opportunity to realign resources and consider how GSHNJ can best deliver programming, services, and support across the communities we serve while remaining fiscally responsible.
What will happen to the proceeds from the North Branch property sale?
The proceeds from the sale will be strategically reinvested to support GSHNJ’s continued presence and service in the western region.
Through North Branch & Beyond and the work of the North Branch Engagement Committee, community feedback is helping inform how GSHNJ can best use its resources to meet the evolving needs of members and volunteers in the region.
Is GSHNJ leaving the western region?
No. GSHNJ remains committed to serving members, volunteers, families, and communities throughout the western region.
Through programming, volunteer support, North Branch & Beyond, continued community engagement, buy online/pickup lockers, and other council services, GSHNJ will continue to support members and volunteers throughout the region while determining what comes next.
What does this mean for volunteers and community partners in the western region?
Volunteers and community partners can expect continued support and collaboration from GSHNJ staff. We remain committed to maintaining strong relationships and ensuring volunteers have access to the resources they need to deliver meaningful Girl Scout experiences.
What are the next steps for North Branch & Beyond?
The Community Conversations were the beginning of the process, not the end. GSHNJ continues to use the feedback gathered through those sessions and the work of the North Branch Engagement Committee to better understand the services, resources, access, and presence our community needs in the western region.
As this work progresses, GSHNJ will continue to share updates and opportunities for our community to stay informed and involved.
Updated Aug 2026
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