What Should Go Where Pathmark Was?
This is our first in a series featuring vacant storefronts, their histories and a call-out of what residents think should take the former business' place.
It was nearly a year ago that the Middletown Pathmark closed its bargain grocery doors due to bankrputcy.
Though the township has many grocery stores, including a Whole Foods, ShopRite, Stop & Shop and Foodtown. Yet, the discount supermarket mainstay was mourned. Many wondered what would take its place and if the replacement would be a good fit for the area and shopping substitute for them.
The Middletown Pathmark was one of 32 nationwide to get shuttered due to the bankruptcy terms, which basically said that the store was seen not very likely to pull itself out of the financial hole in which it had become buried. “The potential for structure/design rehabilitation was also deemed dim,” according to sources in Dw. Dunphy’s original story of its closing.
The storefront is still barren and people are stirring over what’s coming next to the business-zoned site, which was the anchor in the strip mall at Route 35 and New Monmouth Road.
People have speculated that a Wegman’s will take its place. Not so. Middletown Township Planner, Jason Greenspan had said that while officials and residents alike would love to see the space filled, nothing is yet on the table for it.
So, what would you like to see in the former Pathmark store? Let us know in the comments section. Wishes don’t always come true, but it can be fun to put something on your list.
In This article
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ShopRite of Middletown
1361 State Route 35, Middletown, NJ -
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Middletown Township Town Hall/Administrative Offices
1 Kings Hwy, Middletown, NJ -
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Super Stop & Shop
State Route 35 & Twin Brooks Ave, Middletown, NJ
Erin Reynolds
1:12 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
walmart! or christmas tree store... we have too many food stores already... we need a change
George F
7:23 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Walmart??!! ... Are you nuts, that is the worst store to bring to your community.
John
9:07 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Great idea Erin! Shut up Jeff.
Mind, Body & Sole Massage and Wellness
1:38 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
How about breaking it down to smaller store fronts and get some small businesses in there. We could use a nice coffee/tea shop, a book store, etc. Give the locally owned businesses a place to set up shop and the locals a place to go.
Paula Iskenderian Guglielmo
10:45 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
LOVE this idea! forget the others - its a great location to have a coffee shop and small business to gather middletown residents.
Jesse
2:02 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Wegman's, Trader Joe's, Christmas Tree Shops. Maybe another Foodtown, since the one in Hazlet is closing. I know - a BJ's Warehouse - probably not enough space for that, though. :(
patch
2:22 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
New Monmouth Road - not Harmony Road. How about an exotic dance palace?
Elaine Van Develde
3:24 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
You are correct. It is New Monmouth Road. That will be corrected.
Alice Kramden
3:45 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
WEGMAN'S.......consider only the best for this area! Quality food, quality products, quality workers and it's one of the top 100 best companies to work for, ranking it #3!
Lasrnw
4:29 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
It would be great to have another Foodtown (Circus) flagship store back on Route 35. They are a locally owned and family operated company based right here in Middletown.
Ricky W Kracker a.k.a. Diggy Swagga
5:15 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
How about whatever Town Center insanity the Tailgunner Joe wanted to shoehorn into his back 40?
Is that absurd Town Center effort dead yet? I'm assuming that they're just waiting for investors, so that they can get started on driving down the quality of life around here even further...
Doreen
5:23 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
I heard there was going to be a Wegman's there & was really looking forward to that. The newer Super Foodtown is closed or is closing from what I have heard.. Trader Joe's could work. A Christmas Tree Store would be awesome too !
Beth Perez
6:07 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
foodtown is too expensive...and we have quite a few. trader joes would be fabulous..or Christmas tree store. wegmans would be very nice. our dream is for a Walmart. but the pro union freaks in this area will knock that down just like they did at the bradlees location.
Suzy Zibutis
11:14 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I agree! Foodtown (A & P included) (unless there's a sale) is quite a bit more expensive than the rest of the supermarkets!
George F
7:46 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
I'm really shocked that there are a few calls for a Wal-mart! That would bring down your house value faster than a popped balloon! Wal-mart is a community killer, period.
Suzy Zibutis
11:10 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Jeff - why on earth would you say that?
McGinty
9:24 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
The Town Center property will now be Mount Laurel housing...it's in the works already. Aren't you glad you fought that horrible Town Center project?
Linda
7:29 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Definitely WALMART!!!
Irish Mike
8:24 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
You stated that the "histories" of the vacant store fronts would be mentioned. Here is a little background on the Middle Center. Did you know that the "Applebees's " end of the center once held an CLOTH WORLD fabric store and previouse to that a PANTRY PRIDE foodstore ? Other center tennet's that have faded into history was a NINO'S Pizza, WOOLWORTHS department store, Who remembers "SILVETTES" a clothing retailer from the 1960's that occupied space near the present vacant PATHMARK. Did you also know that the center put on a addition to the southern end of the center - where present tennet's are a Weight Watcher's, a dance studio, a hair cut unisex salon and a Chucky Cheese pizza entertainment center ?
Other tennants I recall in the center was a fine jewelery store locted in the mid portion of the center, and H&R Block income tax store and a smaller SUN-RAY Drug's store before it became a Major Medical Supply .
Finally who remembers RT 35 & 36 with out "barriers" and Sunday Blue Laws ?
I hope what ever business' set up shop that the community supports them and they are a good neighbor to Middletown....
Suzy Zibutis
11:21 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
SunRay Drugs is where Neisner's used to be - there also used to be a very small paint store located somewhere there. I also remember small book store being there somewhere in the early '90's (bought a lot of books there!) I DO remember no barriers as a kid! I also remember the "Mummers' Parade" down Highway 35 back when I was a little kid!
eyegirld
10:20 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
Irish Mike,
I enjoyed reading your comments. I grew up in the area, and in the 1970's that shopping center was home to Nino's pizza, and it was my family's favorite. Although my family moved away from the area, we have great memories of watching those italians toss that pizza dough. We have often wondered what ever happened to Nino's? Your vivid recollection of the center prompt's me to aski f you know any of the owner's family history or if they went on to open any other restaurants in the area?
D.E.
6:08 pm on Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Zaslows was an arts and craft store during the 80's next to Sun-Ray, there was a carpet store where applebees is, a fashion bug type womens store on the end as well, there was a gym at one point, an eye glass store, a deli called Broadway Deli that was there for a while, there was also a Krausers next to Ninos before Pathmark expanded, as well as a bagel store all the way down at the end.
Dianne L
9:03 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Christmas Tree store or Wegmans!!!
Victor M
9:40 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I see everyone saying here a walmart of a wegamns. I have zero idea why anyone would even say that knowing that IT WONT FIT!!! so stop with the stupid comments of walmart and wegmans!
Suzy Zibutis
11:27 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The last line of the article said what would you wish for - it doesn't mean your wish will come true! For heaven sake - don't be rude - it just look like people would like a Wal-Mart or Wegman's in the area! Sheesh!
John
9:27 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
I agree with suzy! Victor,you are full of crap!
John V
9:47 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Yep Irish Mike... I remember all those stores.. I remember going into Silvettes with my mom as a kid. What was the store that had the stairs going to the basement... was right in the center of the store? Remember the dry cleaners at the end...?
Valerie
9:48 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Trader Joes or Sams Club.
Zeekaboo
10:05 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I believe something for the youth of the township. Perhaps a roller rink, or some sort of youth center. There is not enough for the children to do in this township. Too many hang out around corners and after hours at the parks. And now that the pool club is closed, this summer should be interesting.......
Gina N.
10:25 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
It would be nice to have something like the Philadelphia Reading Terminal Market. It would have food, produce, shopping, coffee, local musicians--a place for people of all ages to shop and take a break, meet friends during any season.
Diana Sutton
10:36 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Trader Joe's would be great, but I like the Terminal Market idea too. That would be a place for people to hang out, but if done nicely could be a great place for all ages.
Jersey Girl
1:03 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Work Out World should move across the highway into Pathmark The parking is horrible where they are now. You cannot get an open space to shop the other merchants. Keep Walmart out of Middletown. We definitely do not need the additional traffic due to a Walmart.
Jesse
2:32 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Walmart usually goes into towns where the rents are low and the taxes are cheap - that kind of leaves Middletown out. As for you Victor M: Pathmark wasn't all that tiny of a supermarket. I've been in a Wegman's in PA that was one-story and around the same size as Pathmark. Weirder things have happened...
debbie
2:56 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
How about an indoor paintball center? Something for the kids to do other then hang out on the streets.
Nancy
8:26 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Wegmans and if it has to be bigger, get rid of all the stores next to the building. Bye Bye WW, Super Cuts and Chunky Cheese. Perfect Location for Wegmans!!!
Ara Karakashian
12:59 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A Wegman's will work, if Super Cuts, Dance Studio, and Weight Watchers move towards the three vacant stores near Sun Ray. It isn't big enough for a Wegman's yet. If not Wegman's, then a Christmas Tree Store would suffice. FoodTown would be a waste of time and space. Dividing the space up wouldn't help anything, as there would no longer be a draw for people to go there.
lori dibenedetto
5:19 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
my daughter asked for sports plex-roller/ice skating,video games,batting cages etc...some where for the kids to go and hang out.
Ts
9:17 am on Monday, March 26, 2012
Indoor skatepark. They closed the one we had so we have nowhere to go.
John
9:25 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
They should turn the strip center into a MIXED USE shopping center.Every store that is still open will stay but they should add Trader Joe's,Walmart,Christmas Tree Shops,Sam's Club,Target,Pier 1 Imports,Toys R Us,Babies R Us,Starbucks,Teavana,Barnes & Noble,Kohl's,Marshall's,Best Buy,and Home Depot.If you have any ideas for some smaller stores and restaurats PLEASE REPLY! Then after the new stores are built they should build condos,offices,a golf course,and parks.