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Daniel M. Jacobs, PP, AICP
Supporter
Username: Conrail
Post Number: 22
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 9:17 am: | 
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It looks like some Montclair businesses are becoming unhappy (see Star Ledger article below). Maybe village officials should start canvassing on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair to attract the unhappy business-people to our fair village? Poaching is a popular economic development tool and we already obtained Taste of Asia (Yummy!) from Montclair . . .
On Montclair Mile, to park is a triumph and to run a shop is a trial
Some Bloomfield Ave. merchants may flee
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
BY PHILIP READ
Star-Ledger Staff
In the window of Bobby Restaino's retro Soda Pop Shop, a vintage poster shows a grinning bellhop juggling a carton of cigarettes and proclaiming the classic Madison Avenue sales pitch of "Call for Philip Morris!"
If it were Restaino's image, it would be sporting a frown over the cry, "Call for a mover!"
After six years serving up parfaits with such names as "Hawaii Five-0" and "The Green Hornet," Restaino is devising an exit strategy for his classic ice cream parlor along "the Montclair Mile."
He's "exhausted" having to feed the parking meters wherever he leaves his blue Liberty Sport SUV. He "hit the roof" one recent Sunday morning when -- without warning, he says -- he found a ticket on the windshield. He's disturbed about the 10-month wait for a new parking deck, one that until year's end has shut the so-called Crescent lot and its 176 spaces.
"A couple of business owners and myself are so frustrated, we're looking to get out," he said while sitting at the counter of his Bloomfield Avenue shop, which at times has attracted the likes of Jay North (TV's "Dennis the Menace") and comedian Soupy Sales to meet fans of 1960s nostalgia.
Just days after the lot closed Jan. 31, merchants and Montclair Parking Authority members gathered at the Soda Pop Shop for a back-and-forth on how they -- and shoppers -- will cope while the four-level, 430-space deck takes shape behind Church Street and South Fullerton Avenue.
"I'm looking to not go out of business between now and November," Todd Edelson, a physical therapist with offices on South Park Street, said at the time.
Unlike Restaino, he was sounding more optimistic in recent days, nine weeks into the construction schedule. That's because he has set up a satellite office in Cedar Grove.
"I've taken about 30 percent of the people whom I see in Montclair over to Cedar Grove. It's five minutes away, it's convenient, and people love to park right on site."
Asked if he might decide to renew his one-year lease there, he sounded cautious. "We'll see how things go. I keep all my options open."
To Restaino, the biggest frustration has come from what he calls overzealous meter maids and a "frenzy" of ticket-writing that's "as bad as it's ever been."
On that point, he gets no argument from Tom Lonergan, executive director of the Montclair Business Improvement District, whose group is scheduling an April 12 meeting to discuss "aggressive enforcement downtown."
"The perception among merchants and many shoppers is that Montclair is not a business-friendly town," Lonergan said. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1027
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 9:54 am: |
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If the issue is lack of parking, I don't think that SO will be more attractive. But there may be other issues, too.
Good thought. You should email John Gross -- I believe this is part of his repsonsibilities.
Pete
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2043
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 10:00 am: |
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Another reason why we need a DRMC. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1828
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 11:05 am: |
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In the past, Main street has been very helpful in soliciting new businesses. I know we reached out to at least one so far, but we did not have a large enough space for him.
I would also hope that any landlord who has an empty store for rent would try and solicit a tenant. There have been cases where we have bought a business to a landlord and they have turned down for various reasons.
Right now we have two spaces between the train station and Bunny's. Those should both be attractive to many prospective businesses. Let's hope the landlords do their part and not only rely on others. |
singlemalt
Supporter
Username: Singlemalt
Post Number: 862
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 11:21 am: |
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How about building a parking garage for non-commuters????? I'd rather have that than a grocery store. |
singlemalt
Supporter
Username: Singlemalt
Post Number: 863
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 11:23 am: |
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Mark, it would seem to be a political advantage at this point to leave the two store fronts you mention empty until after the election. I am sure not everyone in town is aware they are owned by a candidate running in this election. |
hariseldon
Citizen
Username: Hariseldon
Post Number: 301
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 11:30 am: |
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Thanks Singlemalt. No I didn't know (but should of guessed. Never did link the addresses listed on the website(begrudgingly) with the spaces.Duh! |
singlemalt
Supporter
Username: Singlemalt
Post Number: 864
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 11:36 am: |
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I did not imply they were hiding the fact that they own the properties mentioned. I was implying that *most* people in town do not read MOL and probably do not visit candidate websites. Showing progress downtown is not in the best political interests of any of the independent candidates in the upcoming election for this very reason.
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2045
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 12:01 pm: |
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Malt,
While I agree with the premise, I do not think that John Pogany is intentionally keeping those stores vacant for political purposes. I do know that they were approached by MORE NAIL SALONS and thankfully have rejected those offers. For that, he is to be commended! |
singlemalt
Supporter
Username: Singlemalt
Post Number: 865
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 12:18 pm: |
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Agreed. |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2821
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 1:27 pm: |
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Downtown Development has much to do with how ethically Village landlords operate in attempting to either rent or "wharehouse" available retail or office space which they own.
The possibility of any BOT candidate attempting to gain political traction by cynically maintaining as vacant what is otherwise available and attractive space, while publicly lambasting the BOT for inaction or ineptitude in new business recruitment constitues flagrant duplicity that should be brought to light.
I therefore challenge all BOT candidates to respond to the following: Any BOT candidate who owns vacant storefront or office space here in the Village is hereby asked to present specific information as to:
*Actual address of all such properties
*Last tenant or lessee of such space or property
*Dates of last occupancy of the space in question
*Current rental or lease cost for the space
-s.
BTW: The same questions should be asked of all incumbent Trustees. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1106
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 8:40 pm: |
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Well, here is a link to John Pogany's answer to the identical question posted in the SO Elections thread:
http://www.southorangevillage.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?tpc=3133&post=363277#POST3632 77 |
Dave
Moderator
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5792
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 10:27 pm: |
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Here's Eric DeVaris' statement
http://www.ericdevarisfortrustee.com/conflictsofinterest.php
I think the tenant in his building is the excellent Commuter Comics establishment. |
Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 179
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 9:15 am: |
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Soda,
The storefront tenants in my building (50 W. So. Orange Ave.) are:
Pete's Barber Shop, a tenant in that location for 35 years.
Commuter Comics, a tenant in that location for 10 months, with a lease for 5 years.
Before Commuter Comics the space was rented to Village Rugs for 7 months, and before Village Rugs to Carrie Topf Antiques for 40 years.
The storefronts have never been vacant.
Eric
http://www.EricDeVarisForTrustee.com
On May 10 vote Eric DeVaris for Village Trustee
Proven Achievements - Civic & Fiscal Responsibility - Realistic Vision |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2836
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 9:25 am: |
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Thank you, Eric.
-s.
BTW, Bets: I await Mr. Pogany's responses to the legitimate questions posed in my post #2829. I would love to ask the same sort of questions of Mr. Beifus, but then, he's not running for office. |
tom vilardi
Citizen
Username: Tlv350
Post Number: 22
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 9:54 am: |
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List,
To clarify things. The Pogany's only own the "Paint Portion" of the old Sickley property. That would be the portion right next to Bunny's. Smaller two story building.
The larger building (3 stories) which housed the Hardware Store belongs to someone else.
The Pogany's new property has alot of potential, but portions had been unused by Sickley for years and is fairly empty - and in need of a good paint job in and out, some plastering upstairs and a good test of it's weathertightness and systems. All things that must wait until the weather improves - Even if they heated it to do the work, they'd still need ventilation for the painting floor refinishing, etc. Better to wait until the weather improves. It has nothing to do with John running for Village trustee.
Their ownership of it is a step in the right direction. It will be well kept and will prove to be an asset to the village. Jersey Transit and thir immediate successors were just letting the buildings languish.
Tom |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2841
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 10:02 am: |
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Thanks for the "clarification", Tom, but Mr. Pogany says that he has owned the building since 1997. Does that mean that the improvements you say it requires are "Coming Soon"?
-s.
BTW: "Jersey Transit and their immediate successors" are not running for Village Trustee. |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 1721
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 10:35 am: |
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Thank you, Tom.
Here's a link to my answer:
http://www.southorangevillage.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?tpc=3133&post=363686#POST3636 86
John Pogany
Vote LINE A
Time for A Change
Vote May 10, 2005 |
pan
Citizen
Username: Pan
Post Number: 97
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 11:22 am: |
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Soda in the past you have been very critical of those who suspected, most of the time justifiably so, the activities (or rather inactivity) of the BoT.
Now that your suspicions and attacks on the candidates who own downtown property prove to be without base, are you going to apologize?.
Both DeVaris and Pogany proved that they are on the up and up and that you have a paranoia of conspiracy.
You owe to both of them an apology. You also owe an apology to the rest of us MOLers for spreading false information to support your baseless suspicions. |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2845
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 12:51 pm: |
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Pizzaz: Thank you for the additional information. Good luck with your expansion, and with your efforts to rent your office space. I'm sure that all your customers look forward to a more spacious "Bunny's", and that the Village as a whole will welcome the upgrade in your future.
-s.
BTW: The questions you have been asked to respond to are neither meant to be aggressive nor hostile; they represent legitimate concerns raised by other MOLer's in recent days.
Full disclosure and transparency in municipal government are things you yourself have often argued for on these threads, and which ought not be too much to expect of any (ANY!) Village Trustee. I find your defensive attitude curious. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2053
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 12:57 pm: |
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Defensive?? I think John provided full disclosure to your questions even though you obviously had an agenda to try to discredit him.
However, in the interest of full disclosure, Soda...why don't you disclose why you have a personal vendetta against Bunny's and/or the Pogany's? Before you deny that you do, go back and re-read your multitude of posts over the past year against them. |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2848
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 1:33 pm: |
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MHD: I calls 'em as I sees 'em. Any "negative" commentary I have posted in times past regarding Bunny's or Pizzaz has been based solely on my personal opinions specific to either the establishment, its operation, food offerings, or the posts of its owner at the time of my posts.
John and Leslie Pogany are both adults, and don't need you to defend them. I've always liked and admired their entire family, and wish them well.
This election, and the many important issues depending upon it, demand that all candidates answer questions from The Public. In past years, you have posted numerous inflammatory comments on many subjects, most of them specifically designed to discomfort sitting members of our BOT. Do you have personal vendettas against them? Are you paranoid?
-s.
BTW: I happen to plan on voting for Eric, and don't think I owe him, Pizzaz, Pan, or anyone else on MOL an apology for asking relevant questions. |
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