Celebrity chef, Whole Foods looking to give Newark a modern makeover

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Part of Newark's storied past is getting a modern makeover, with plans underway to open a new restaurant and bring in a Whole Foods.

The project is getting an assist with some major star power from celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, and news that he wants to open a restaurant in downtown Newark has many residents salivating.

Word is Samuelsson has been making quiet trips to the area, doing his homework to figure out what kind of cool, hip, authentic theme might fit with the history of Newark and the people who live there.

In the next year to 18 months, the walls of the old Hahnes Department Store building will welcome 160 apartments, stores, Whole Foods and the Samuelsson restaurant

Watch the video of above for Michelle Charlesworth's report.