Empty Retail buildings in Cherry Hill (Springfield, Echelon: leases, neighborhood, tenants)

[CH101]

I don't see Ross moving back over to Ellisburg, there is really no reason to. They seem to be doing OK at Garden State Pavilions, especially now that Burlington Coat Factory opened next to it.

TJ Maxx could be a candidate, considering their closest locations are in Mount Laural and Marlton. Also although Bottom Dollar just opened a location next to the Cherry Hill Mall, I can see them dumping it and moving into a more favorable location. Every time I drive past that location, it looks DEAD.

With all the empty retail space available, how about National Wholesale Liquidators possibly moving back into the area? They have been SLOWLY re-expanding. Cherry Hill would make a good first South Jersey/Philly location.

[jus12]

I thought Nat'l Wholesale was already in Cherry Hill before, like directly across Ellisburg on Rt. 70 where the new medical center is being built?

As for empty retail space, I think Bottom Dollar is a likely anchor for Ellisburg where the Genuardi's was along with the Anna's Linens idea as well. That would fill that spot and hopefully revive the downturn the plaza has been experiencing as of late. I agree Bottom Dollar is not a good fit adjacent to the mall and on a busy Route 38. I've always heard rumors that Cherry Hill Mall would eventually buy that adjacent land and transform it into an extension of the mall or some degree of use.

Although TJ Maxx is in Mt. Laurel and Marlton, I believe it can still operate another location in Cherry Hill. On this end of 295, all three towns Marlton, Mt.Laurel, and Cherry Hill have enough traffic and trade area to allow retailers to open many locations. Maybe Staples can move from the Pavillion into Ellisburg, and then TJ Maxx. Staples stores are smaller footprints (15-20,000sF), and TJ can work at a standard 30,000sF building.

LA Fitness would be a perfect fit for Ellisburg and would free up space at the Plaza for future development. Even though it's a new one in Somerdale which isn't far, it still would work in terms of the business it brings.

[jus12]

Overall, I've composed a list of potential retail locations in the Cherry Hill area. The list is by shopping center.

Rt. 70:
Garden State Pavilion:
BCF (Stays/ New Store)
Staples (Stays)
Ross (Stays)
ShopRite (Stays)
Lowe's (New Store, not sure of performance adj. to Home Depot)

Ellisburg:
LA Fitness (taking over Genuardi's)
Anna's Linens
Dollar Tree
Buy Buy Baby (change to TJMaxx)
Stein Mart (Stays)

Rt.38 (Plaza at Cherry Hill)
Bottom Dollar (Moves to Brace Rd. Shoprite or Ellisburg)
LA Fitness (moves to Ellisburg)
Chuck-E-Cheese
Guitar Center (Moves to Ellisburg)

Overall, the plaza at Cherry Hill should be transformed into a new development or become a new extension to the mall. The tenants there are either outdated or can do much better at the other location in the township.

[CH101]

Nat'l Wholesale was in Cherry Hill at that location, but they filed for bankruptcy a few years back and closed almost all of their stores. They were sold and are now very slowly opening up in their old markets again.

As for the rest, you have some interesting idea's. I am not sure that Lowe's can open in such close proximity to Home Depot though. Back when Lowe's was proposed for Garden State Park Marketplace, I seem to recall Home Depot employees stating at the time that some law would prevent them from opening so close to each other. True or not, I am not sure. This was before Home Depot decided to move into the spot instead.

LA Fitness is an interesting proposal. From what I have been told, the gym gets PACKED at it's current location since LA Fitness bought and closed the Bally Total Fitness in Mount Laural, sending all members to the Cherry Hill LA Fitness location instead. Maybe it is time for an a bigger space.

As for the Cherry Hill Mall possibly buying and expanding into the adjacent plaza, according to an article earlier this year, they are actually contemplating a further mall expansion. They stated that one of the options would utilize the area around the One Cherry Hill office tower. MOD CUT!

[jus12]

Thanks. It's possible Lowe's could open near Home Depot, and I think Cherry Hill can withstand the competition from both stores. In some cases, there are Home Depot's and Lowe's within less than a mile of each other, like the one in Delran, NJ on Route 130. If Delran can support both stores within close proximity to each other, I am certain Cherry Hill can considering its thriving trade area. But the difference is that the Lowe's on 130 supports traffic going northbound towards Trenton / Burlington and the Home Depot on 130 supports traffic going southbound toward Philly. They are across the street from each other and that might be the reason both are doing well in terms of business.

With a Lowe's at the Pavilion it could work but my doubt is that both locations would be on the same side of Route 70, which I think is West. Lowe's and ShopRite usually prefer to be in the same vicinity or serve as co-anchors in a shopping center. Delran, and Hainesport, NJ both have Lowe's and ShopRite anchored shopping centers. It might be just a coincidence but they have some good relationship to be together.

[southbound_295]

The area next to Cherry Hill Mall was built in 2 phases. S Klein opened there. The building was later subdivided & has held numerous retailers. S. Klein - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The strip was built later & originally held Bambergers furniture outlet.

[avg12]

Lowes actually closed stores across the country recently apparently not needing as many stores. Locally, I think their Maple Shade and Voorhees stores have good locations and cover the Cherry Hill to Mt Laurel markets. There is no law stopping Lowes to be near Home Depot. The only prevention is grocery stores tend to negotiate and get on lease to prevent another grocery store to open in same plaza. So Bottom Dollar likely can't go to Eastgate Square because of Shoprite.

I agree about Ross since now they are now not alone and have BCF as a neighbor in CH.

I didn't know National Wholesale was still in existence.

[NatasNJ]

When Garden State shopping center was being developed Lowes was all set to come in there. The rumor was that they got into a pissing match with the developer and Home Depot swooped in to take it. Hence why the Home Depot at the Pavillions sat empty for years...

[avg12]

Originally Posted by NatasNJ

When Garden State shopping center was being developed Lowes was all set to come in there. The rumor was that they got into a pissing match with the developer and Home Depot swooped in to take it. Hence why the Home Depot at the Pavillions sat empty for years...

On hindsight, Lowes is probably glad it didn't get in, as Cherry Hill could have been slated to close like these
Lowe's to close 20 stores; see list

The Maple Shade store is central from Cherry Hill west all the way to Mt.Laurel, and the chain opened in Voorhees to further serve Camden County and Marlton.

Home Depot does lead in store count in our area. However, if Lowes can be more profitable with fewer locations, it's not a bad strategy. For those that spend $5k on house renovations, I can't imagine driving an additional 5-10 minutes to Lowes, impacting the decision whether to choose Home Depot or Lowes for stuff.

One thing I don't get is Sears attempting to spin off their Sears Hardware and Appliance stores. A 50,000 sq.ft. (smaller and easier to navigate store over HD or Lowes) could be a great niche for Sears. Makes no sense to me.

[avg12]

Along with the new Dwell apartments, there will be even more apartment units in Cherry Hill:
Developer wins zoning variances for Cherry Hill apartment complex | Courier-Post | courierpostonline.com

With the CH Genuardi's gone, Acme in weak shape (operates small stores in Haddonfield/Westmont) and Acme closing stores, and more residential infill in Cherry Hill, I think it should be supportive for ShopRite to re-open the 1445 Brace Rd. location or the Ellisburg location. I think the Brace Rd. site would be better for them.

I wonder if Wakefern is helping it's co-op members at all like it did when it bought out a number of stores from Ahold. The Genuardi's in Barnegat, which is up for sale, could be converted to a ShopRite as well, as it is in a good location as well, and far enough from the nearest existing ShopRite.

I think ShopRite could even do well in Burlington (at the old Kmart site) but perhaps there is reluctance that maybe Wal-Mart would relocate to the Burlington Ctr. for a Wal-Mart SuperCenter or somewhere else? Not sure but that risk is likely less than 5% at this point.