State Street Vacancies: What Should Come to Town?

Lauren Ziel March 7, 2013 at 08:39 pm

I'd like to see some more HEALTHY eating options come into town and some other social hangouts that AREN'T pubs. A nice, upscale, cozy place for before/after dinner drinks, girls night out, live music.

Lisa Kimmelman March 7, 2013 at 10:00 pm

Yes, a bakery would be perfect!

Alison Dauer March 7, 2013 at 10:12 pm

A children's clothing shop, a great toy shop (like Jazams in Princeton, NJ), Paper Source, Whole Foods, an authentic Mexican restaurant, more outdoor dining options in general would be nice, J. Crew, Banana Republic. I'd like to see the town have more great shops like Princeton or Red Bank, NJ.

Alison Dauer March 7, 2013 at 10:13 pm

Agree with you!

NS March 7, 2013 at 10:14 pm

Let's also get that trailer park going and not stand in the way of progress!!!

NS March 7, 2013 at 10:21 pm

What Newtown really needs is some parking. How can you expect a retail environment to thrive if you cannot park your car? And the supervisors are too shortsighted to do anything about it....

anonymous March 7, 2013 at 11:46 pm

Well, this is an interesting topic for sure and I'm glad that it's created such a buzz. I know some of you have suggested things for the township, larger stores that wouldn't fit on State Street. I'm all for improvement throughout the community but since my business in on State Street and there are now 6 empty stores (stretching from Penn down to Greene) that's where my primary concern is. Is there ANY possibility that we can create a new State Street or Borough retail group that can somehow have a voice with Council, with the landlords and with the surrounding Township. It may be a tall order but I truly feel that we need to begin moving in this direction.
Chuck Grapevine

anonymous March 7, 2013 at 11:48 pm

Not really sure why I'm posting as anonymous (since I signed my above post as Chuck, Grapevine).

anonymous March 8, 2013 at 12:02 am

Also, to those of you who suggested a cheese shop, a bakery, a co-op bulk foods store, Trader Joe's, coffee place to compete with Starbucks, etc.... are these things that you would like to see us here at Grapevine try to incorporate into our business. I'm open to suggestions and ideas. Someone above made the comment that people need places to "gather." We have actually talked about that for here, trying to create ways where that can happen in out store. Feel free to stop by and talk to me any time about any of this. We've been here 25 years and are trying to figure out ways to viably exist here for the next 25!
Chuck Grapevine

Man Landers March 8, 2013 at 01:51 am

Chuck- You're right about Triumph. I always believed it would have completely changed the landscape for the better.

Elena March 8, 2013 at 02:59 am

I thought of the same thing for long time. Trader Joe's at old ACME place would be great. It's too bad Trader Joe's is not a franchise.

CN March 8, 2013 at 04:05 am

as a small business owner i can tell you that someone gave you incorrect information. there is nothing wrong with chains coming in! why does everyone have such a problem with it? you don't wan't a chain? well then you are going to get another bank or salon. Gap body is a chain, starbucks is a chain.. how ridiculous.

Sandy Pashko March 8, 2013 at 04:06 am

I especially like Trader Joe's & Whole Foods but Wegman's would be good also, but I'd even settle for a Wawa instead of 7-11. Their freshly made-to-order sandwiches & other food is far superior to 7-11.

boro biz owner March 8, 2013 at 12:50 pm

I think Triumph is great in its present locations, none of them are in a neighborhood. I do also recall that they were the ones to pull out (after pitting neighbor against neighbor in their efforts to come to state st). They would have been fine in the township, that location wasn't well suited for that use. The boro officials were just protecting their residents.

anonymous March 8, 2013 at 01:06 pm

Protecting them from what???

boro biz owner March 8, 2013 at 01:29 pm

From a bar and restaurant open til 2 am in their front yard?

anonymous March 8, 2013 at 02:36 pm

Oh please.. That's just another excuse that people in this town have towards really good, viable business coming to town. How many people would that have affected really?? Maybe one or two houses?? And would they really have been impacted that much at all??

Harry March 8, 2013 at 04:52 pm

No offense Chuck, there once was one (Newtown Borough Retailers Association) that was fairly beneficial. It fizzled unfortunately due to lack of participation and other factors. Some of us over the years have made attempts to get something together again but have been met with the same plight, no participation and little interest. Unless fellow business owners wake up, smell the roses and realize that their success is based on others doing good as well and the notion that working together as a group and can strengthen us all, this awesome business district will continue to languish and be second rate.

anonymous March 8, 2013 at 05:34 pm

Harry - No offense taken. I suppose I'm just as much at fault as anybody for the lack of participation in that group. Ok...so that's over. In the past. Should something be tried again?? I'm open to being involved and doing whatever we can to generate excitement for the street but I do realize that it will take participation and enthusiasm from everyone.

Susan Makrauer March 14, 2013 at 07:21 pm

Believe it Chefmom, it's like living in a time warp. I hate it.

Newtown Fan March 31, 2013 at 09:08 pm

Perhaps a J Crew, and/ or a Pottery Barn would be well-received and also capture some shoppers who favor the merchandise and would rather not travel to the Malls in order to pick something up. The large Victorian on the corner of Sycamore and Swamp could really showcase the wares. It is nice and very convenient to shop GAP merchandise in our own town without having to drive to Oxford Valley or Willow Grove. The bakery idea is also good...something like Cramer's would fit nicely on State St. Since opening, the chains like Bed Bath and Beyond and Staples in the township seem to be thriving and really meeting a need in the community. The same goes for Corner Bakery. The borough might also benefit from a Lilly Pulitzer
store and I think it would fit well into one or two of the empty storefronts, such as the one that was most recently a home decor business.

Albert Polekoff April 1, 2013 at 03:36 am

Wawa would put the 7-11 out of business. There is not enough room for a Wegmans anywhere in Newtown. I would love to see a Trader Joe's where the McBride/Stockberger was on Sycamore. There already are 2 small bakeries in Newtown and 3 pet stores.

Caroline April 1, 2013 at 01:10 pm

I would love a healthy fast food place. Like Chipolte or Brynn and Danes. Also, there are tons of women I know who travel really far for Aeresoles shoes. Comfortable and fashionable for newtown. Also, A good mexican food place.

Heidi April 1, 2013 at 02:59 pm

If a Trader Joe's came to Newtown, it would kill one of our long time staples in the Boro (25 years to be exact), The Grapevine. Why don't we all show a stronger support for this gem of a store, and give Chuck the business he needs to make this beauty grow. He and his staff go above and beyond expectations to bring to their clients what they ask for. I speak from experience. Chuck has ALWAYS brought in for me what I need, or what I would like to see on the shelves. You don't get that kind of service in the larger franchises. Not to mention it is places like The Grapevine that lend Newtown its "Rockwellesque" charm. I personally would LOVE to see a GOOD fabric shop (not JoAnn's) in town. Specifically one that offered classes for moms & kids, sewing/quilting/knitting classes, but more importantly offered programs and/or apprenticeships that worked with the CRHSN's fashion program for seniors. What a wonderful opportunity for seniors who will be seeking a degree in the fashion industry to get hands on experience! I know from experience, there is nothing like this around here ~ you've got to go to Philly or NYC. The fashion program at the high school is a blossoming and rapidly growing program. What a breath of fresh air a place like that would bring not only for commerce, but for the greater community as well. If a place like this should open, call me, I'M IN!

anonymous April 1, 2013 at 04:49 pm

Heidi - Thank you SO MUCH for your wonderful and heartfelt (and I think fairly accurate) endorsement of our store. As many know, owning a small business isn't easy and the competition is extremely challenging...but being able to COMPLETELY satisfy our customers makes it all worthwhile. I really feel that the level of service that we offer sets us apart from our competitors in a way that's special and unique. Thank you for recognizing that and for saying so in a public forum such as this.

the VOICE April 1, 2013 at 10:51 pm

Too Congested in W Windsor area, That's Y U moved here Right ?

the VOICE April 1, 2013 at 10:56 pm

Look Out the grammar Police R Watching U !

the VOICE April 1, 2013 at 11:01 pm

And the Boro Impacts The Township, Cause' U can't get to it without driving through the Township. What is Allen Smith going to do if Sate stores go Private ?

the VOICE April 1, 2013 at 11:02 pm

Good Luck, with those Two !

the VOICE April 1, 2013 at 11:09 pm

There Is the Newtown Corp, That most of the Boro Businesses quit, when the Manager had problems . And most of the money and Time was spent on State Street