Visions for Vacancies: What Should Take Linen N Things Place?
Patch readers comments and ideas sought for vacant stores and buildings in the township.
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The front entrance of the former Linens N Things store at 530 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave. in Livingston is our next Visions for Vacancies candidate.
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When we launched our initial Visions for Vacancies column last Friday afternoon on Livingston Patch, we asked you for advice on what you would like to see at the site of the former Village at Livingston Pathmark.
So, we were pleased nearly 450 of you read the article, while 23 readers went the extra yard and provided comments and suggestions.
A replacement supermarket seemed to be the overwhelming thought on everyone’s minds — ranging from Wegman’s to Stop & Shop, from Whole Foods to Trader Joe’s.
Several readers thought restaurants like Houston’s or a major food court would fill the space and provide what Livingston residents want.
There was even a suggestion for a Christmas Tree Shoppe and a Michael’s-type crafts store.
It’s a new week — time for the next Vision for Vacancies challenge. The same rules apply — Forget what zone the building is in. Ignore setback regulations, as well as dump lot coverage rules and all the other zoning jargon that puts most people to sleep.
This week’s property is the site of the former Linens N Things store at 530 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue near Daven Avenue.
Our bottom line: If you had your way, what would you like to see there? What would be the best use of the space for the community?
For this to continue to work, this can’t be a one-sided conversation. We want to hear from you in our comments section. And, please, let us know if there’s a vacant space or building you know of as well we can feature in a future column.
Send emails about vacant buildings or stores to Essex County Associate Regional Editor Jack Durschlag at jack.durschlag@patch.com.
Do you know of a vacant store, building or gas station in Livingston we can feature on Patch? Let us know in the comments or email jack.durschlag@patch.com.
Tell us in the comments.
Sally Cohen
2:57 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
A good Thrift store and farmers market would be great. Thrift stores provide employment especially to people with disabilities. The local farmers market is only avaiablel once a week, there should be more days .for people who can't make that day that the market is set up. An indoor flea market would be nice too.
adam
3:33 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
Fairway MArket would be a great addition to our community
Dave
12:05 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
An indoor sports facility, like the Millburn Sports Academy, so the kids have a place to play and practice in the Winter and during bad weather.
Margaret
7:30 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
here are my ideas - a few of them....1) Walmart - not one that is local to us; 2) BJs - Costco is so crowded and there is no BJs option local to us; 3) movie theater - Livingston should have this and the Colony is still missed; 4) aquatic center - the 4 lane West Essex Y pool is so incredibly sub par for this community and 5) I can't resist repeating the Christmas Tree Shop again, amazing store and again none local to us - this property would work also
Margaret
7:32 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
oh and not the location of this weeks article, but the other thought I had was for either the Saturn Dealership or the 6th Avenue Electronics spot - Fuddruckers
Barbara
8:31 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
WEGMANS!
Ella Platnick
8:47 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Wegmans
Hugh Mahon
9:04 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
What about the old church/Masonic Lodge on theRt.10 circle becomming a Community run "Little Theater". How long has that property sat empty?
lisa
9:05 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Walmart, container store, Christmas tree store, dennys childrenswear
Robin L
9:15 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Home Goods /. TJ Maxx / Wegmans / Stop n Shop
wetochwink
9:31 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
With all the other ideas taken....Total Wine, Buffalo Wild Wings, Joe's Crab Shack,
Margaret
9:40 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Bonefish grille is always looking to expand...never has seen an empty Red Lobster...neither of them close by
Martin Rommer
1:42 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Suggestions are nice but for a business to succeed they need to consider their operating costs, expenses and profit potential. What are the costs involved in opening a store, or supermarket either at the village or the "Linen N Things" site? Will a customer base in this area support a store in these areas at this time.
One of the reasons PathMark left Livingston was because of their costs, low profit margin, a unionized workforce (which good or bad demanded higher product cost), and honestly a low percentage of local customers. While PathMark was always more costly, I shopped there because of the uncrowded felling the store had, and it was more of a convenient area. Township officials can reach out to the strip mall owners and ask how they could be of help. Perhaps cutting a little of the rateable's for a fixed number of years. Remember that other towns are dealing with the same issues and the competition is non-existent because of the economy. We need a carrot.
Years ago we would drive to Wayne for the closest Wendy's. One day I decided to drop a comment card into their box. I suggested placing a Wendy's on Rt 10 in East Hanover. Well, they purchased the old "Hornets' Nest" and viola! That location always seems packed (but I lament that I was never given even a 'Thank You' for the suggestion.) That is what is required. To see a need, and then seek out who can best fulfill it. I vote Stop & Shop for the Village.
karen whitman
2:27 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Wegman's
Ellen Lazer
11:43 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
Forget the grocery stores and food courts and farmer markets - how about a real farm to replace Linens and Things and the other bix box empties on route 10. . .
Despina Apostolou
9:00 am on Monday, February 6, 2012
Bowling Ally or some type of recreational facility
David Swanson
11:27 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Restaurant Mall with P.F. Changs, Houston's, Maggiano's, and Rosa Mexicana. Then have a central valet for parking. None of the above mentioned restaurants are within 25 minutes of here. All different types of food and does better in more affluent neighborhoods.
Kim
7:16 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
What about a paintball facility? You have to go pretty far to get to one of these, and the teens in this town need somewhere to go. Not everyone skateboards. If not a paintball facility, some type of recreational facility. Nothing for the teens to do around here. A roller rink would also be nice.
Debby
8:43 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
We really could use a Lowes around here. The Home Depot on RT10 is one of the smaller, less stocked stores. Lowes carries a wider variety and is a nicer store to shop in.
Annie
4:10 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Is this just idle musing, or do suggestions go somewhere?
Donna
2:25 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
I think a Lowe's would be fantastic in the Linens & Things/Circuit City area. For the old Pathmark, definitely Wegman's!!
Kim
10:03 pm on Sunday, March 25, 2012
Wegman or some other grocery store