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jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 871
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 4:51 pm: | 
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Kids who can drive go to diners and Dunkin Donuts. My son and his friends would go to a variety of diners - including, but not limited to, the ones on Springfield Ave. They sit and drink coffee anyplace that gives free refills. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 909
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 5:09 pm: |
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Pete: So basically it is the movies and pizza by the slice that makes Maplewood work better for you ( and your kids) because other than that I did not see anything in your post that S. Orange does not have in the downtown area.
Bunny's offers a very cheap all you can eat pizza buffet one night a week, Blue Moon Diner gives free refills on cokes, Bagels abroad (cheap sandwiches), Dancing Goat (I know kids love that place), parking is easier in S. Orange.
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gozerbrown
Citizen
Username: Gozerbrown
Post Number: 299
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 5:45 pm: |
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When we moved here, I expected more of a college-town feel, since SHU is right up the road. I think we should consider ways of luring them here. Not only would it appeal to them, but also appeal to those people in their early 20's from other towns.
Plus, people who are moving here are pretty young, too. I really enjoy going to Montclair and hanging out in that awesome bookstore, seeing a great film. There's always a lot of young people mulling around. Maybe something like a burrito place (I know that sounds kind of dumb, but it's a hip food that young adults really enjoy). Like the Phunky Burrito on Bloomfield Ave.
Also, Mr. Rosner, something I've been wondering recently is how much contact the board has with governments of other local communities? I wonder if there is a way for you all to get together once or twice a year and brainstorm about community improvement. Just curious. |
Mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 702
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 6:06 pm: |
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Mark,
I am sure you can find the things that Pete mentioned in Newark, too. However, very few of us enjoy leisurely walking around those streets.
The empty Beifus lot, the "Coming Soon" supermarket, the NJ Transit construction, plus the nail salons, dry cleaners and beauty supply places do not make South Orange Village an enjoyable or attractive place to spend time. On the contrary, people are more likely to come, go to one of the places you mentioned & then leave.
Maplewood is more of a place that you can linger for an extended period of time. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 434
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 9:50 pm: |
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Mr Rosner --
I don't disagree that some of what I wrote about (in pieces) exists here in SO as well. However, take as an example -- the other day I was in Cait & Abbys for lunch. A couple of the construction workers (from the NJ Transit project) came in, saw the limited menu, and one leaned over to ask me where they could get a couple of slices, one wanted a sub. So -- do I send the one guy to Bunnys? One to the Bagel place? In Maplewood -- walking 25 feet -- at least 8 or 9 restaurants would be obvious. Its just not that way here. And Bunnys or Reservoir -- just not as inviting from the street -- not open or windowed to look in as places in Maplewood -- that look out on the street. I don't dislike these places, but walk by Bunnys -- really, what is it? Whats the place like inside, food, menu? Many/most places in SO have little street appeal. Would you categorize a walk down SO Ave as "fun" or entertaining"? I hardly would, while walking through Maplewood village, window shopping, is fun & a pleasure. That does not exist here in SO. Many (not all, certainly) of our merchants, need a lesson in window dressing, merchandising, and street appeal! (IMO) -- Pete |
pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 47
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:28 pm: |
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Doublea:The new owner would prefer to rent to a tenant or tenants that would enhance the business district. However, everything in life is negotiable and that includes the decision to rent or to sell. From the majority of posts, it is my impression that the people would like an "upscale" food convenience store. Is that the decision? or are there other ideas? |
Paddy
Citizen
Username: Paddy
Post Number: 150
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:54 pm: |
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Maybe some of the South Orage retailers could do a better job of making their retail space look better, but, please, stop comparing it to Maplewood. You 'linger' in Maplweood?!?!?!? If it were not for the Gate Pub I couldn't find a reason to 'linger' there for more than 15 minutes; the parking sucks compared to South Orange. Their retail space may turn over less often probably becuase it's a third the size of South Orange and space is limited.
You can't have little cafes on every corner. You need dry cleaners and up until six months ago Maplewood had three in their quaint little downtown--and according to the sign of the one most recently closed they will add yet another nail salon. So everybody stop whining--just because you have a Dickens Village doesn't mean you have a thriving downtown. If you are really interested in improving SO downtown take the time to tell the businesses you care about what you think.
And stop blaming the administration. You can all pay lip service to supporting local businesses, but in the end how many of us go to Home Depot, or Rte 22, or the Short Hills Malls, etc. We don't give many businesses a reason to open here.
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NCJanow(akaLibraryLady)
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 1152
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 7:27 am: |
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Pete, First of all, Cait&Abby is a BAKERY, not a diner. It's nice that they offer a limited menu, but what they are really there for is to sell delicious breads and pastries, not lunch.
And which ONE place could they go to in Maplewood of slices and subs..a pizza place like Bunny's or Reservoir or Pirate Pizza. Or would one go to Roman Gourmet for a slice and where? for a non-italian sub? I could also name 8-9 places in South Orange to get lunch, many of them much nicer than Maplewood. Blue Moon, Dancing Goat, Bagels Abroad, Texas Weiners, Arugula, Giorgios, Town Hall, Bunnys, Reservoir, the Wrap Place,Neelam, PiratePizza, Dunkin Donuts and yes, even Cait and Abby for a limited selection.
So. Orange Ave is a major county road,not a small, quaint out of the way avenue much more suited to meandering. The Village has tried to work with what they have to make Rt. 510 as inviting as possible, but hey, it still is a major road.
Many of the shops have spent no small sum fixing up their storefronts(and of course, there is always room for improvement).
NCJ aka LibraryLady
On a coffee break..or something like it.
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Mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 703
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 8:29 am: |
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Paddy,
You can't have little cafes on every corner.
Why not? Most desirable downtowns do exactly that. Look at Summit, Madison, Hoboken, Englewood, Westfield, Montclair etc. I agree with Mark that retail has a tough time competing with the big chains. Restaurants certainly are a valid answer for the gentrification of South Orange.
And stop blaming the administration.
Sorry, Paddy...if they want to take CREDIT they also must take RESPONSIBILITY. During the last camapign, they claimed people should vote for them "because we get it done" and "downtown revitalization is almost complete". Sure, they cannot control every merchant, but the major projects like the "coming soon supermarket", SOPAC and Beifus have been delegated to people like Gross & Matthews. The BOT should retake control of those projects because obviously they are not "getting done" with the people currently managing them.
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kevin
Citizen
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 171
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:27 am: |
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Let's build a vehicle fly-over for South Orange Ave that starts around village hall and ends at Church St. We can close in South Orange Avenue between both points and make a huge village center, free of vehicles.
I figure we can sell lemonade and/or hot chocolate in front of the village hall until enough money is made to build it.
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 910
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:32 am: |
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gozerbrown: Every year at the league of municipalities (every November in AC) there are always people from every town in the state. I did not make it there this year but in the past I met with a person from Montclair, W. Orange and Westfield as well as some people at the county level (Essex). I do speak every now and then with some from the Maplewood TC.
MHD: Hoboken is not a true suburban town so I can't even count that one in the mix.
I went out for dinner to Cafe Arugula last night. Not very crowded. Granted it was a cold night and snow was starting to fall, but usually on a weekday night it is easy to get a seat in any restaurant (not just S. Orange). If you want cafes, more restaurants then people have to frequent them. The more business they do the more the better they will maintain them. This has been a problem in suburbia. I know I can go to Montclair on any weekday night and walk in to almost any restaurant and have a wide choice of seats.
It is almost impossible to get a seat on a Saturday night anywhere (including the nicer restaurants in S. Orange) unless you have a reservation.
Pete: If your kids go to Roman Gourmet for a slice it is a lot more than 25 feet to pick up the bagel. And as much as I love Bagel Chateau, they close pretty early in the afternoon.
Or you might want to go to Town Hall Deli and have a really good sandwich (now where in Maplewood can you get a sloppy joe that is half as good (please don't tell me Kings).
You can find good and bad about both towns and make a case for both. Sometimes I go to Maplewood and sometimes I stay in S. Orange. If you think everything you need is in Maplewood, so be it, but please don't make it sound as if S. Orange can't offer pretty much the same with the exception of a movie theater.
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ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 1820
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:54 am: |
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...and a supermarket... |
doublea
Citizen
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 400
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 11:08 am: |
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ffof - Thanks for getting this thread back to the title. |
ligeti
Citizen
Username: Ligeti
Post Number: 48
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 12:39 pm: |
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Mrosner - People can't buy a simple carton of milk in SO! Or some lettuce! Dish soap! It's an embarrassment....after getting off the train, folks should be able to walk to SOME kind of store that sells the basics. All we can count on in SO is getting donuts whenever we want. No groceries, no pizzeria, no movies. Also, be sure to take a switchblade if you plan to go to Blockbuster. Just to play it safe. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 286
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 12:46 pm: |
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ligeti - I'll agree with you on most points - but pizza? South Orange has quite a few pizzerias of varied styles. And one word about Blockbuster... Netflix! |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 911
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 1:01 pm: |
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ligeti: Cait & Abby's sells milk.
S. Orange has a supermarket - Pathmark - it is on valley street. They sell lettuce, milk and just about everything else. I know people who walk there on their way home from the train station. I go there and have been to blockbusters without a switchblade or any type of weapon.
There are two places to get pizza within walking distance of the train.
But donuts? I can't get krispy kremes now that Starbucks stopped selling them.
What I really like though is being able to get a hot dog and then some ice cream in the village.
Just for the record and back to the thread, the developers at the old shop-rite site who received their approval from the village last May now have a conditional approval from the county. They are meeting with the village the week after next to give an update on where they stand and when they expect to be able to start construction.
I know everyone would like instant gratification, but it just does not work that way.
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NCJanow(akaLibraryLady)
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 1153
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 1:01 pm: |
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Try We Got Movies..nice local owners..nice customers...better prices.
In a crunch, Dunkin' has small cartons of milk, enough for coffee in the a.m.
Look, you are all right..we desperately need a supermarket. But until someone decides that it is economically realistic to open one here in South Orange, there are alternatives.
NCJ aka LibraryLady
On a coffee break..or something like it.
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SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 287
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 1:26 pm: |
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"I know everyone would like instant gratification, but it just does not work that way."
ROTFL!! Baby Elephants gestate in less time! |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 913
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 2:53 pm: |
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Baby elephants don't have to deal with three different levels of government.
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Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 580
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 2:57 pm: |
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I don’t think “Baby” Elephants should even be conceiving. They should leave that to the adults. |
Neen
Citizen
Username: Neen
Post Number: 9
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 3:53 pm: |
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Not to be snide, but I think the point was that Baby Elephants are gestating (inside the mommy elephant), not conceiving.
Back to the point, all this talk is making me think we just need to open up a produce stand right on the street like they do in NYC during the warmer months. Are there any town rules against street vendors? |
Waldo
Citizen
Username: Discowaldo
Post Number: 19
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 3:58 pm: |
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Hey I agree with Gozerbrown, I would absolutely LOVE for a burrito place. A friend of mine used to work at one in Montclair and we used to stop by all the time for great burritos and quesadillas and they also would have bands playing there every once in a while. It was a real relaxed atmosphere and does give kids a safe and clean place to just go and hang out. I actually have friends who get such bad cravings for a burrito they drive all the way out to Taco Bell for 2 99 cent burritos. I know we have Toro Loco but a burrito place with quick service and a laid back atmosphere would just be a dream. I LOVE BURRITOS |
Neen
Citizen
Username: Neen
Post Number: 10
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 4:00 pm: |
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Have you tried Tinga? They are in Upper Montclair and in Millburn. Excellent burritos! |
Sylad
Citizen
Username: Sylad
Post Number: 145
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 4:47 pm: |
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Mrosner--Thanks for the update on the market, it is good to hear that progress is being made. I look forward to more news as it is available. |
Sirdar Bey
Citizen
Username: Sirdar_bey
Post Number: 5
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 7:45 pm: |
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tinga rocks
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joso
Citizen
Username: Joso
Post Number: 158
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 8:24 pm: |
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Most business owners in SO seem to be stuck in another decade, and content to run there little businesses as they are with no need to upgrade or appeal to the times or the demands of the residents. Most cannot be making much money, and don't seem to care.There are exceptions, but few. |
spw784
Citizen
Username: Spw784
Post Number: 441
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 8:35 pm: |
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Shoprite in Livingston sells Krispy Kremes. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 290
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:32 pm: |
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You can get them straight out of the oven in Brick..... and it's worth the trip!  |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 157
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 9:07 am: |
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Mr. Rosner, I often pass the Krispy Kreme on 23rd & 8th on my way to catch the train home at Penn Station. I'd gladly pick up some for you... |
Soda
Citizen
Username: Soda
Post Number: 1180
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 9:14 am: |
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Neen: There's a Farmers' Market in South Orange every week (isn't it from July through October?), which is about as close as we come right now. |
Neen
Citizen
Username: Neen
Post Number: 11
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 9:46 am: |
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Soda: Thanks for telling me about the farmers' market. Where is it held? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 915
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 9:52 am: |
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ril: thanks, I might take you up on the offer one day. lol
The farmers market was in the nj transit lot on wednesdays and ran thru Nov this year. Pretty much the same vendors make the rounds through several other towns (Milburn, W. Orange, Scotch Plains) on other days. One of the vendors has been considering opening a permanent store in the village although his first choice was recently rented to someone else. They are deciding if there would be enough business to justify the investment. |
galileo
Citizen
Username: Galileo
Post Number: 122
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 10:55 pm: |
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Krispie Kremes are sold in King's,Maplewood. |
Duncan
Citizen
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 1440
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 7:42 pm: |
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yea. but they are frozen, not fresh
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"
Wayne Gretzky
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