| Author | Message | ||
     mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 98 Registered: 4-2002 |
Mayhewdrive: I think deborahg is correct. Most restaurants in the suburbs have trouble getting people to come Mon - thurs. Hoboken is more of a city than a suburb, plus they have a thriving singles population. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 95 Registered: 5-2001 |
Deborahg, I agree to an extent....while living in Hoboken we also ate out more often. Although, perhaps Montclair is a better model to look to. They have a thriving downtown with a huge selection of restaurants and virtually no vacant stores, and a very similar demographic to South Orange. There have been many times my wife & I have said "lets go to Montclair" when we want to spend an evening or afternoon, with or without kids. The problem is that I don't imagine people think of South Orange as a "destination". Our downtown has too many dry cleaners and too many vacant stores. It makes it a Catch-22, because businesses don't want to open where there is no market & people don't want to come where there are no businesses. | ||
| nancy Citizen Username: Nancy Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2002 |
nsolomon, I read these posts today with interest as I am the Executive Director of Main Street South Orange, the organization Mark Rosner was referring you to. I'll attempt to briefly answer a few of the questions posted. Stonyhill Creamery was trying to sell their business for awhile, but were not successful in doing so. I know that LokkoMotive, LLC is actively looking for a new tenant including one that I referred Stonyhill to several months ago in the hopes that they would buy their business; they are currently considering that location again and are in contact with LokkoMotive. You are correct that some of the rents are high; which may sound like a bad thing, but it can actually help to ensure higher-quality businesses locating here instead of more marginal ones that cannot afford the rent. However, it also makes it take a bit longer to find a tenant. As for meeting with the landlords, Main Street has done that often over the years, most recently in July. My Economic Development committee chair and I met with several landlords to discuss their properties, our desire for quality tenants, and our hope that they will allow us to refer potential retailers to them for their spaces. Most were receptive and willing to allow us to do so. The landlord being referred to in these posts, however, does not want us to refer businesses to him; so his properties are completely under his control alone. No, the town cannot force a landlord to lease his properties unless that property is in the Redevelopment Zone; and even then it can be very difficult to exert influence. As for Main Street, we are a volunteer organization operating under the guidelines of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Program. The program outlines strategies for comprehensive downtown revitalization through four committees: Organization, Design, Economic Development, and Promotions. The Organization Committee works on fund-raising and membership, by-laws, and general organizational issues. The Design Committee works on public improvements and private facade improvements design advice and grant programs (the removal of the unattractive signs on the stores on Village Plaza and the four new awnings on them are a result of Main Street's initiative and work to get all those businesses to agree to the cooperative facade improvement. It took awhile, but we finally succeeded.) We also review design plans for proposed developments like the ShopRite site, Beifus site, and Arts Center. The Economic Development Committee works on such things as business retention and recruitment, market analysis, commercial space inventory (which we have begun recently, creating a database of properties & related information), and business recruitment brochures. The Promotions Committee runs the promotions you probably have seen downtown such as the Farmers Market, Lunchtime Concerts, A Taste of South Orange, and the Spring, Fall & Winter Festivals. All promotions are intended to attract people to our downtown. The Committee also runs the INSIDER discount program for people who work in South Orange, SHU students & staff, and members of Main Street. We are also completing the (unending) editing of a new Guide to Businesses and Services for distribution in the upcoming month or two. If you are interested in volunteering on one of the committees, please feel free to contact me at the Main Street office at 973-763-6899 or email me at MSSO@aol.com. If anyone has any questions about Main Street, feel free to email me; as I don't often read this Message Board. Hope I've helped to clarify some of your questions. Best, Nancy | ||
| fredsmom Citizen Username: Fredsmom Post Number: 36 Registered: 4-2002 |
Nancy, Thanks for your post. Very helpful. It's obviously an enormous and ongoing task to revitalize downtown, and some of the improvements you mention like facade rennovation are clearly apparent. It does seem striking however that so many posts have referred to "Notorious" or "The Landlord Being Referred To" without a name. I would like to know how much property "Notorious" owns and where it is located. With all of "Main Streets" hard work, it must be enormously frustrating to have one slumlord -- or whatever he/she is -- sitting on key property in a pivotal spot (SOUTH ORANGE DOWNTOWN!!!!) and refusing to cooperate. Cannot pressures be brought to bear on such a scalawag? | ||
| jefforlando Citizen Username: Jefforlando Post Number: 18 Registered: 5-2002 |
I think everyone is making some good points: Remember though: 1) Both Montclair and Morristown (like SO) have diverse populations of families, couples, retirees, singles, etc. and have thriving restaurant communities -- remember we also have the SHU factor. 2) To the post about the dry cleaners -- yes, while there seems to be many, but I am also wary of attracting only "bougie-fied", snobby businesses -- e.g., Chatham, for example... We need REAL businesses to be a REAL town... | ||
| ssw Citizen Username: Ssw Post Number: 67 Registered: 7-2001 |
I believe the word should be "viable". You need viable businesses to be a viable town. | ||
| woodstock Citizen Username: Woodstock Post Number: 27 Registered: 9-2002 |
Does anyone know how long specific stores have been vacant? I believe the town can take action against landlords that have unrented space for long periods of time, if the town so desires. But that's a whole 'nuther issue. It's not just question of punishing the landlord (if hey're being unreasonable in their demands). More important is the desired result, which is being discussed above - Getting quality tenants for those spaces. It's definitely a chicken and egg situation. My wife recently opened a baby store. We looked in South Orange, Maplewood, Millburn, and West Orange. South Orange was the least appealing for several reasons. Rents were high, the work that was needed on the spaces was all to be borne by the tenant, and in some cases the tenant was responsible for repair and replacement of capital equipment such as boilers and A/C units that were decades old. But just as important, there doesn't seem to be anywhere near as much foot traffic in SO as in Millburn or Maplewood Village, and no matter how many municipal lots there are, it's tough to beat the convenience of a parking lot right in front of the store, which we found in West Orange. And being new to retail, we were not willing to take the risks associated with a town with so many current vacant stores. Perhaps when the old Shoprite is occupied and the Arts Center is built, things will be different. But I don't see anything else helping us out of this stagnation in the short term. | ||
| spw784 Citizen Username: Spw784 Post Number: 253 Registered: 5-2001 |
Woodstock - where is this store? Is it baby clothing, furniture, gifts? | ||
| nsolomon Citizen Username: Nsolomon Post Number: 43 Registered: 6-2001 |
My questons still remain. Who is this landlord and why won't anyone name him/her. Which properties? And what can us ciizens do to get involved and help? Sounds like Main Street is doing what it can. Is there a need for more involvement? Or can we do something else? Here's my two-cents about what would revive downtownn: 1. Obviously, we need the arts center and grocery store ASAP. In my ideal world, the arts center would dedicate at least one screen to foreign/indie films. And it would have weekend matinees for kids that are unique -- not the standard current releases that show in Maplewood and Milburn (not that I don't appreciate them!) but interesting alternatives, like Marx Brothers and other old classics. And children's theater/puppet productions (while Im dreaming...) 2. Two anchor stores. Okay, I'm loathe to suggest this, but I think we need chain stores. I think if we had a Borders or Barnes and Noble, and some clothing store, like an Old Navy or Gap, then we'd have something for sale that lots of people want to buy. That would attract people, who would shop in the little independent stores. I'm not thrilled with this prospect, but I think it's neccessary. And I'd much rather have a chain bookstore than no general bookstore at all. 3. Restore the river. There's a committee working on this. I'd like to see a real stream through the park and town, with cafes and outdoor eating happening alongside it, and a bike/ped path linkiing to Maplewood. 4. Any decent grocery would do, but to make life here great and to draw others from surrounding communities, a really good market would tip the scales. Check out the Fairway in Harlem -- lots of organic and natural foods. Lots of specialty foods, deli, good bread, huge produce section. And at good prices. Not bougie. That's my two cents. We live 30 minutes from a world-class city. We have a town of beautiful houses. There is a downtown waiting to be revived (many towns don't even have that). And there are lots of people here and nearby with lots of money. There's no reason we can't revive our pathetic excuse for a downtown. | ||
| thegoodsgt Citizen Username: Thegoodsgt Post Number: 140 Registered: 2-2002 |
I think the name of the landlord should be a matter of public record. Anyone interested in determining the name has at least two options. If you know an attorney, he/she can use the Nexis/Lexis system to access government tax records, or you can probably review the tax records directly in city hall. | ||
| woodstock Citizen Username: Woodstock Post Number: 30 Registered: 9-2002 |
SPW - I replied via privateline so as not to be accused of advertising :-) | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 96 Registered: 5-2001 |
If you know the Street Address of the property in question, you can find the owner at http://nj.taxrecords.com for free. | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 3820 Registered: 5-2001  |
Woodstock, please feel free to post the store name here so you don't get flooded with e-mail. | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 184 Registered: 11-2001 |
Woodstock: We love your wife’s store! My wife stumbled on it accidentally and bought several things that look great in the new baby's room. Good luck with it and we'll be back soon! | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 98 Registered: 5-2001 |
Woodstock, Is it the store right by Metropolitan Plant Exchange in West Orange (on Northfield?) | ||
| scollins Citizen Username: Scollins Post Number: 21 Registered: 8-2001 |
A quick bit of research shows that 1-15 (under the tracks) Sloan St, South Orange Village, NJ is owned by Lokko Motive Llc with an address of 76 South Orange Ave #102 South Orange, NJ 07079 and an assessment of Land 0.00 Build: 1,050,000.00 Total $1,050,000.00 And according to the OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH ORANGE VILLAGE SPECIAL MEETING, APRIL 19, 1999 they passed a resolution authorizing the Village President to Sign a Note and Mortgage Modification Agreement with Lokko Motive, L.L.C., which was approved by Village Counsel. I am not sure exactly what all this means. Maybe Mr. Rosner could shed some light. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 108 Registered: 4-2002 |
I would like to say I remember the details of this property. The deal between the village, NJ Transit and Lokko Motive, LLC was made several years before I was on the board, so I will have to ask Steve Steglitz for the full scoop. I will let you know next week. | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 3832 Registered: 5-2001 |
My guess (wild one, at that) is that because the property is owned by the state (NJ Transit) it cannot be taxed. The structures built upon it thankfully can be. (Another high-5 to Mark Rosner for helping educate citizens about what's happening in South Orange by being the brave soul who's here taking the heat and being responsive.) | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 101 Registered: 5-2001 |
Dave, I agree with your praise of Mr. Rosner for having the courage to respond to all the posts here. While I don't often agree with him, I do respect him for being willing to take our comments here online. By the way, I don't recall seeing a response about getting Village Trustee Meeting Agendas posted here. Is there a reason for the delay? I reiterate my offer to help post them if there is nobody in the Village techno-savvy enough to do it. Also, was there ever a response on when we can expect to see actual groundbreaking & estimated completion of the Arts Center? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 110 Registered: 4-2002 |
The arts board has to review the plans and vote on when the actual groundbreaking of the arts center will start. The arts board currently consists of three trustees (Allan Rosen, Steve Steglitz and myself) along with the village president and six other volunteers. The project was being reviewed by a project manager and there have been several meetings. We want to make sure it is done correctly and there were some refinements to the plans that needed to be done. As for the meeting agendas, I passed on your offer/request to the village administrator and asked him to let me know. I will remind him. I told him I would like to see them posted. |
