Morristown stores? (Elizabeth, New Brunswick, Plainfield: sales, lease, Home Depot)

[tahiti]

I was in Morristown yesterday and noticed Gap Kids and Ben & Jerry's has closed. B&J was available for lease and Gap Kids is turning into an E*trade ( ) branch. Anyone know the scoop (no pun intended, lol)? Are other stores struggling? Couldn't find anything googling.

[Honeycrisp]

I don't know about Morristown but it's not unusual to find some of the smaller stores closed at the malls after the holidays, rent is high all over, even some of the smaller local towns have empty storefronts (and have for a while), have heard that recent holiday sales arent what they hoped for (although it's not over yet). No clue about the rent or the figures but I guess they're not even breaking even...

[emanon]

Ever since the advent of enclosed malls the intown main street shopping area is rapidly disappearing. Who wants to pay to park, be out in the inclement weather when you can visit almost any store you will ever need in an enclosed mall and not have to pay to park. About the only town that I can think of that still has successful main street shopping is Westfield. I am sure there are others someplace but they are an anomoly.

Every day you read about these towns that want to bring shoppers back to the main street. Who in their right mind would want to shop in Elizabeth, Plainfield, New Brunswick? All they have are cheap junk stores and troublemaking kids.

Main street shopping is a thing of the past and has outlived it's usefulness.

E

[njkate]

Once Epstein closed their doors it was only a matter of time for the smaller ones
I'm of the minority..I love "Main St" shopping when available..I hate mall air...gives me a headache

[vdecapio]

Originally Posted by emanon

Ever since the advent of enclosed malls the intown main street shopping area is rapidly disappearing. Who wants to pay to park, be out in the inclement weather when you can visit almost any store you will ever need in an enclosed mall and not have to pay to park. About the only town that I can think of that still has successful main street shopping is Westfield. I am sure there are others someplace but they are an anomoly.

Every day you read about these towns that want to bring shoppers back to the main street. Who in their right mind would want to shop in Elizabeth, Plainfield, New Brunswick? All they have are cheap junk stores and troublemaking kids.

Main street shopping is a thing of the past and has outlived it's usefulness.

E

AHHH, but....people still enjoy dining,eating, and relaxing with coffee and a book on main streets....where people watching can be king! Then if speciality stores are strategically located among the coffeeshops, bookstores, and restaurants success for these shops can be had. But for a place like Jersey, these outdoor dining opportunities are limited to 5-6 months of the year, but in places like Florida where outdoor dining is extended to 8-10 months, outdoor, open-air malls and main streets are becoming and should be king!

[RobRiguez]

Originally Posted by vdecapio

AHHH, but....people still enjoy dining,eating, and relaxing with coffee and a book on main streets....where people watching can be king! Then if speciality stores are strategically located among the coffeeshops, bookstores, and restaurants success for these shops can be had. But for a place like Jersey, these outdoor dining opportunities are limited to 5-6 months of the year, but in places like Florida where outdoor dining is extended to 8-10 months, outdoor, open-air malls and main streets are becoming and should be king!

1) we are talking Jersey here in the Jersey forum. :-P
2) the "Cafe" atmosphere you speak of is typically only found in well to do areas.

+1 on Westfield being the only "main street" that not only has survived but is still thriving imo. But that as to do with #2 in my statement above.

Also, +1 on the impossible parking on mainstreet. I wanted to get new keys made and get advice on a home safe from the local locksmith. I had to park 5 blocks away, completely off the street, after driving around looking for a spot to park for 15 min. Not worth it when I could have just driven another 5-10 min to the Home Depot and called the locksmith rather then spoke face to face.