Visions for Vacancies: What Should Take Pathmark's Place?
Patch readers comments and ideas sought for vacant stores and buildings in the township.
What would you like to see replace the now vacant Pathmark supermarket in the Village at Livingston shopping center at 277 Eisenhower Parkway?
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It’s been nine months since Pathmark shuttered its doors at the Village at Livingston location near the Livingston Circle.
In its heyday, the supermarket, located at 277 Eisenhower Parkway, competed with several area supermarkets — including King’s, ShopRite and the farmer’s market.
The business climate in the township has improved as new businesses —Margaritaville's and Fortunoff’s Backyard Store, for example — have made their debut.
In fact, Deputy Mayor Rudy Fernandez said Friday there has been interest in not only the Pathmark site, but in several vacant businesses along the Route 10 corridor and the vacant Saturn dealership. However, he did stress nothing is imminent.
This is where you come in. Today, Patch is launching its newest column, Visions for Vacancies.
In the column, we’ll present a new vacant building and ask you to tell us what you think would be the best use of the vacant space.
Here's the fun part: Forget what zone it’s in. Ignore setback regulations, as well as dump lot coverage rules and all the other zoning jargon that puts most people to sleep.
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?
To make this 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/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.
Margaret
2:18 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
My vision for the empty Pathmark building is a "Christmas Tree Store" - this is a terrific store that is expanding and we have no local branch near our community. I believe our closest Christmas Tree Store is Rockaway - I tend to occasionally visit the one down the shore in Brick.
Amy
2:25 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
This town desperately needs a Houston's. I think it would be a phenominal addition to Livingston and it would do extremely well. I constantly hear people in town discussing how well a Houston's would do if it made its debut here. Its a homerun!
Jennifer
2:35 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
what is Houston's?
Jennifer
2:33 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
I am absolutely curtain that Whole Foods would be really good here. There is already Kings, and ShopRite in Livingston. Pathmark was just for people that lived around there for a quick get milk or standard things as well as what was there before. I live in the Riker Hill area and know most people agree. And even though Livingston is not large it would be nice to have a better quality grocery store on this side of town. I think Whole Foods would be the best thing there.
Also where the Saturn used to be I think a HomeGoods store is only due time for one. Everyone around would love that store the closest one is at least 40minutes away on Rt. 10 or on Rt 24. It is a great store one which Livingston does not have anything like besides Micheal's Crafts which is largely crafts not so much decor. It has great prices and great things.
Bill
3:08 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
I am with Amy on this. Houston's would do tremendous business in Livingston. Simply put Jennifer its the best "casual dining" restaurant around. The nearest one is in Hackensack.
I also agree with you Jennifer that we would be very happy to have a Wholefoods in town. I think the expanded Kings will still fall short of a high end grocery store.
Wegmans would be a great alternative as well.
Check it out:
http://www.hillstone.com/#/restaurants/houstons/
Back to bumping and jumping...
Jen
3:07 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Homegoods, DSW
Jennifer
3:22 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Completely agree with you Trader Joes, Wegmans is really good as well. And you know I definitely agree with you with Homegoods. I work in Short Hills and live in Livingston everyone talks about Homegoods and how much they love it but wish it was closer...
Barbara
3:29 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. In particular, a Trader Joe's that sells alcohol...the closest one is in Westfield.
Amy
3:30 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Bill- bumping and jumping? ie "shantaram"? If that is your reference, you are one well read guy!
Jack Durschlag
3:34 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Hey everyone. Your comments have been wonderful. Keep the conversation going. Tell you friends and neighbors to participate as well. Don't forget to comment on Facebook and Twitter and email me with site suggestions for our next Visions For Vacancies column.
Joe
4:07 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Wegmans ... would get really popular!
Marni Askinazy
4:28 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Better than Wegman's or Whole Foods would be Fairway Market. The closest one is in Paramus. It would be a great addition to the Livingston Community. I also love Houston's!!
grace
10:48 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
how about an indoor amusement park? a place whole family can have fun.
Dave
11:52 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
How about an indoor sports facility? The Millburn Sports Academy and the Armory are always booked solid. With all of our teams in the all the various sports, a facility such as that would no doubt be a success.
Gail Blackman
10:45 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
We NEED another supermarket. Glad Kings is enlarging but so are their prices!!!!!!!!!
Shop Rite is, unfortunately inadequate to meet this town's needs. We used to have 2 and a Kings and a Foodtown (long time ago) Look to Stop and Shop. The one in Caldwell is a very good store. Wegman as I understand it felt the parking was inadequate and I was under the impression that Fairway was committed, but I guess not. There is a fine Whole Foods a few miles down in West Orange no need for another one here and there is one at the Springfield border that is quite large. As for Houston's, it is a good restaurant, but if Houlihans couldn't even make it here I doubt that Houston's, which is more upscale-would.
Bill
11:09 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Gail, I respectfully disagree with your Wholefoods and Houstons comments. To say that WholeFoods adequately serves Livingston is a stretch at best. A 10 minute drive in either direction does not cut it. There is no better butcher and fish market and we would benefit from having one in town.
To compare Houlihans to Houstons is to compare Dominos to De Fara's, Totonnos or Lombardis. Houlihans failed because of its mediocrity in an already crowded space of mediocirity. Houstons would excel and would likely be very busy 7 days a week at both lunch and dinner.
WALTER LeVINE
12:59 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
All great ideas, so far, and some are possible. Rumor has it that a Fairways may land on Route 10. A major Trader Joe's is in Florham Park, so Livingston might be too close. Wegman's would be fantastic, but needs a large location, not the Village, but could you imagine the traffic tie-up! The problem with a place like Houstons or any upscale eatery is the lack of a liquor license, which most upscale eateries require. How about a major food court - multiple type eateries located together at the same site, and possibly interspsersed with an upscale butcher and fresh fish market????
Mackenzi
10:48 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
I agree that the complex needs a supermarket. I also feel that a supermarket like a stop and shop, fairway, or even food town would work out well. East Hanover does not have a supermarket and most people would go to pathmark. I believe that the location is great and the parking is excellent. There is a lot of parking available and it has a light which makes entering the parking lot easy. With a supermarket going in, it would also help out all the little stores that are in the complex as well.
me
2:47 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
what about Aldi's/? The closest one is in Rockaway. A food store with great prices- Like a food version of Amazing Savings!
April Kelly
6:11 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
Whole foods, trader joes, stop & shop....
April Kelly
6:11 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
Yes Aldi's too
cam
3:41 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
WEGMANS!
karen whitman
2:28 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Houston's or Container Store
David Swanson
11:23 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
How about taking the other center - where old navy, linens-n-things, etc. and put in 3 or 4 eateries such as a P.F. Changs, Houstons, Rosa Mexicana, and Maggianos. Then have a central valet parking and turn that into a restaurant mall with choices for everyone?
David Swanson
11:24 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I know someone that deals with Wegmans and Whole Foods. They were interested in the area several years back but since have moved on. There is nothing in their next 3-5 year plan to open anything in the area.