In fact, none of the aforementioned coffee franchises were even in the running at Carriage City since the retail space for a coffee shop does not allow for a kitchen. Also, Intercontinental Hotels Group, which operates Hotel Indigo, has an exclusive license agreement with Starbucks, which will be served in the Golden Bean and Phi Lounger, located in the hotel lobby.
Other retail tenants for Carriage City Plaza are expected to be a dry cleaner, salon and day spa, fitness center and a “well-known New Jersey-based restaurant brand.”
Developers of Park Square are in “serious discussions” with a tea and coffehouse, as well as an optometrist for half the commercial space, according to Eric Harvitt of Landmark Companies.
The first major residential redevelopment project to break ground downtown, Park Square is expected be ready for occupancy by August. It is comprised of 159 luxury rental one- and two-bedroom apartments and 7,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space along Irving Street between Elm and Elizabeth avenues. Since the retail space can be subdivided, the number of tenants will depend on their size.
Construction has begun on the Main Street side of the project, which will mirror the Irving Street side. Formerly home to Cliff Hardware and other properties, including a boarding house on Elm, Park Square broke ground in October 2006.
Blog readers seemed to enjoy Hot Rods and Harleys, according to our latest poll. But while half of those who voted thought it was great, almost a quarter didn’t even attend the event. What gives?
“How did you like Hot Rods and Harleys?” 50 percent, Great! Plenty to see and do (20/40) 22 percent, Didn’t go, not my thing (9/40) 20 percent, OK, but would prefer more vendors (8/40) 5 percent, Liked the $2 Miller Lite specials a little too much (2/40) 2 percent, Good, a little overwhelming (1/40)
Any thoughts on how to improve Hot Rods and Harleys? What would make those other 22 percent of you go? Should there be more events like it thoughout the year?
We’ll take a break from poll questions this week but if anyone has suggestions, we’ll post our favorite next week.
It’s not a Starbucks. Forget Panera. And never mind about Atlanta Bread Co. Cuppy’s Coffee, Smoothies & More has signed a lease to become the first retail tenant at Carriage City Plaza. The Fort Walton Beach, Fla.-based national chain doesn’t have much of a presence in New Jersey (or the Northeast), but has locations “coming soon” to East Brunswick, Phillipsburg and Whippany.