Arturos has moved!

This is getting confusing. 

I did not realize that Fred owns the building formerly known as Boyden Friendly. I thought Tony (the former owner) sold the whole business to Chris (the guy who runs the auto repair now). I thought they just had some kind of arrangement vis-a-vis parking. Tony had the gas pumps and tanks removed before he retired, so that opened up the space. 

The building that Arties is moving to is owned by an LLC which is registered to an address in Chester. Does that mean the people who live at that address in Chester own the LLC, or is the LLC just registered to that address for reasons?

So what’s going to go in the current space on Maplewood Ave?  I think it’s a perfect spot for a Starbucks. 

Jaytee said:

ridski said:

I don't remember the 5 & 10 being there in 2004 when we first moved here and Dan & Fred took Arturo's over after that.

because the 5&10 was long gone. Arturo’s was a dead pizzeria that middle school kids hung out in after school. Fred and Dan worked their magic and made that corner the hottest spot in the village. 

Although Dan and Fred upgraded Arturo's, it was hardly a "dead pizzeria."  The wood-fired brick oven predates them and the pizza was quite good.  Not to take anything away from them and where they have taken it since.  The ludicrous waits and lines attest to that.

When I think of restaurant and Artie - I can't help but think of this guy.

mrincredible said:

So what’s going to go in the current space on Maplewood Ave?  I think it’s a perfect spot for a Starbucks. 

Excellent idea. So when one Starbucks runs out of something, there's another one nea ---wait. I got a better idea. Why not a nail salon.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

Excellent idea. So when one Starbucks runs out of something, there's another one nea ---wait. I got a better idea. Why not a nail salon.

Now you’re just being silly. 

I do wonder what would do well in that space. I’m sure a chain like Dunkin/Baskin Robbins would love to get in there and they’d probably do well. But chains historically rankle the locals. 

Feng shui isn't good for a nail salon.

mrincredible said:

So what’s going to go in the current space on Maplewood Ave?  I think it’s a perfect spot for a Starbucks. 

I think it's a perfect spot for a pizza spot where you wait two hours for a pizza. No? 

Ancient history:  It was a hardware store before a restaurant/pizzeria.  

In between, it was a tanning salon.

I would love it if Maplewood Ice Cream moved in there and set up a larger ice cream parlor with seating. Maybe some old-timey posters on the walls. But there’s probably no viable business model for that kind of setup. 

How about a gourmet Italian deli and market with things like fresh mozzarella?

It would be nice to have a butcher in town like N&K Prime Marketplace.  

Why didn't Coda end up expanding into the old Indian place?  

rch2330 said:

It would be nice to have a butcher in town like N&K Prime Marketplace.  

Combine that with my Italian gourmet deli and you’ve got a winner!  

I only have second hand knowledge so I won't post it, but I believe the space is already spoken for.  No need to wish different chain coffee shops take over!  Not gonna happen.

mrmaplewood said:

Ancient history:  It was a hardware store before a restaurant/pizzeria.  

You are the official mr maplewood so I won’t disagree, it was a loss and then when the other one on Springfield avenue closed I really got upset.

Speaking of ancient history, anyone knows about the dungeons under the stores on Baker street? Those four stores where the cleaners are, there are rooms with concrete beds in the basements, but it’s not easy getting to them. It looks like old jail cells. After seeing it about 25 years ago another old timer I spoke with said it was actually the local jail years ago. Spooky.

Just read on MSN that Artie;s is opening next Monday at 15 Newark Way,. Wish them lots of luck!

Wait, Powers is going out of business?  That place is a great resource.  

DanDietrich said:

Wait, Powers is going out of business?  That place is a great resource.  

Tell me about it! Slowly we’re losing the good customer friendly businesses, and we end up staring at the guy in the electrical aisle at Home Depot like he should be working in gardening….

Jaytee said:

DanDietrich said:

Wait, Powers is going out of business?  That place is a great resource.  

Tell me about it! Slowly we’re losing the good customer friendly businesses, and we end up staring at the guy in the electrical aisle at Home Depot like he should be working in gardening….

Powers has far better prices and much better selection.  I forget the manufacturer but the black plastic boxes they sell are far better than the blue ones at HD, especially for old work in plaster.  And even as a small time guy I always get good service.  Crap.  First I can't afford the restaurants and now I'm losing a supply house. 

The building that Arturo‘s is moving to holds a lot of intriguing possibilities. It’s a pretty large footprint and has two floors. There’s a driveway on the side that goes behind the building, and the second floor is that ground level behind the building. I don’t know what their initial layout is going to be, but it seems to me they have a lot of flexibility to make a large dining space, a large bar area and continue to provide baked goods. 

The lot extends pretty far behind the building, to the extent that it looks like you might be able to have a decent sized offstreet parking lot. You might also eventually have outdoor dining back there.

I think it is an interesting roll of the dice. Right now, the property is surrounded by the public works yard and industrial companies. I could see this as the beginning of a transformation of the neighborhood. Whether that is all good remains to be seen. Right now, the price of homes in that area is relatively low compared to other parts of Maplewood. If the area becomes more trendy, some lower income families can be priced out of their homes.

Jaytee said:

DanDietrich said:

Wait, Powers is going out of business?  That place is a great resource.  

Tell me about it! Slowly we’re losing the good customer friendly businesses, and we end up staring at the guy in the electrical aisle at Home Depot like he should be working in gardening….

Powers is across the street.  For now, at least, they are still there.

yahooyahoo said:

Tycoon Realty LLC, based in Roseland, owns 4 lots in a row on the even side of the street (#14 through #34).

yes powers is across the street. But according to this map, all those buildings on that side will be gone. 

Jaytee said:

yahooyahoo said:

Tycoon Realty LLC, based in Roseland, owns 4 lots in a row on the even side of the street (#14 through #34).

yes powers is across the street. But according to this map, all those buildings on that side will be gone. 

Powers is #28 so they appear to be at the mercy of Tycoon Realty (at least in this location).

yahooyahoo said:

Powers is #28 so they appear to be at the mercy of Tycoon Realty (at least in this location).

yea, that’s what I was trying to convey to Max. I tried to go there today and Boyden is closed off, I didn’t feel like going all the way around to Rutgers and come around. There’s lots of closed streets. 

I believe Artie's has 23 parking spaces. 

Sounds like they're opening today!

jamie said:

Sounds like they're opening today!

meaning, if you are not already in line, forget it.

It’s open!