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Re: 99 Ranch Market Grand Opening on 4/21 at 9am - 420 Grand Street
#1
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


This place will do well due its strategic location- close to downtown JC and easily reachable within walking distance No more driving to ny china town.Savings inNY tolls and parking makes this a game changer for me. Prefer to go when its not crowded, before 9.00pm. it is really a welcome change for us who love to cook asian food.

Posted on: 2017/4/26 5:39
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PSEG disconnection SCAM alert
#2
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Just received a call from a scam artist who says he is from PSE&G saying he is a few blocks from me saying he is disconnecting my service for non payment. He said we had ignored several notices sent to us. Of course this was not true.

Unfortunately he seems to have infomation about my account.
Trying calling PSE&and G was in vain since they are now on automated system it was not possible to verify and talk to any real person until half hour later.
The caller ID shows a cell number that does not exist in the US
They gave me a an 800 number to call them when I arrive at A&P.
I was told to make a cash deposit to PAYPOWER at A &P on 18th street, Jersey city and to call them when I arrive there.. Had called 911 but was told simply not to pay it. The police could have been more proactive and these scammers would have been apprehended.

Posted on: 2015/6/11 22:30
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Re: Jersey City councilman wants to pull the plug on red-light cameras
#3
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Its about time people wake up to the fact this electronic wizardry is a scam to fleece the public. There are sufficient court testimonials or evidence to support this allegation. If we really are concerned about safety let us get the State to change the laws on speed bumps. Many poorer countries especially in Central America who cannot even afford traffic lights in their towns used this method to control speeding and most taxi drivers know where the bumps and slow down naturally to avoid damage to their car suspensions.
Downtown Jersey City on Grand street is where you need this speed bumps. The drivers who get off the turnpike speed to their work destination in the financial district in the morning and does the reverse in the evening to rush back home. If these bumps are used, no need for those portable speed reminders, drastic traffic enforcements ,no maintenance but unfortunately no additional revenue source for the city.

Posted on: 2014/11/15 16:49
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Ferry service to La Guardia Airport
#4
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Once upon a time there was a ferry service to LGA from dtjc.
It was abandoned due to lack of customers. Perhaps its time to revive it since many popular destinations originate from there.

Posted on: 2014/11/2 14:16
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Re: Proposed development on Van Vorst between Sussex & Morris
#5
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


If you review the quote on this topic. It is somewhere on this thread. Perhaps the person who provided this contrary information should explain himself or herself on how he was so sure about the statement he made. He was trying to counter the allegation that even the senior planner had approved the amendments and so did the HPHA. Was this the reason the ward E council woman who voted against the issue took most of those who spoke out by surprise ?.
Anyway it is a done deal, so let us leave it at that. The end result is not so important, its about the means to the end that is important to avoid any stain of cronyism or nepotism we have experienced in the past.

Posted on: 2014/10/12 16:41
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Re: Proposed development on Van Vorst between Sussex & Morris
#6
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk





After hearing details of the meeting courtesy of the individual who attended the meeting I cannot be amused at this quote by an earlier quote

" I can't speak to all of the specifics, but HPHA did not bless this one. Whomever told you that is ill informed"

Let the record speak for itself !
Amen !


"

Posted on: 2014/10/11 18:08
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Tidewater basin Redevelopment amendment vote on Oct 8th
#7
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


I was not able to attend the discussion on the above amendments for the 15 stories structure on Sussex and Van vorst which the council approved with a 5-2 vote. Can any one who attended this meeting give us a summary on what happened. Who voted in favor and who opposed the ordinance ?. There was only a brief article in the Jersey Journal today with little details.
Thanks

Posted on: 2014/10/10 18:25
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Re: PATH is down again today!
#8
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Sigh ! Unfortunately you are dealing with one of the most powerful monster quasi-government agency in the country that only Congress can fix. Even the Governor of NJ had to flirt with it for political support as has been shown with the GW Bridgegate scandal.
As far as the PA is concerned, JC is no threat to them as far they are concerned. They could defend their status quo and saddle JC with legal bills that tax payers must account for . Yes I agree, the PATH must be removed from their control and be an independent entity. It can never be managed profitably it will always be in debt and fares may have to be raised to support its operation. Perhaps more advertising revenues from the trains and stations may be one method of raising revenue.

Posted on: 2014/9/28 15:41
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Re: About Redevelopment Agencies
#9
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Such agencies have outlived their usefulness. Many counties across the country have dissolved or tried to. Or at least we could reduce their sunset laws from 40 years to 10 years as some have suggested. Also the clause that would allow them to continue into perpetuity if they are in debt caused by a bloated budget should be removed. If I remember correctly, the last city council in Jersey City introduced an ordinance not too long ago to ensure the survival of our JCRA regardless. Maybe someone can cite that ordinance for further discussion.

Posted on: 2014/9/28 15:19
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About Redevelopment Agencies
#10
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Redevelopment agencies

What you don?t know can hurt you and future generations to come.

Redevelopment Agencies were created during the post depression era to rebuild the US economy shattered by the Great Depression and the economic downturn after the second world war . This was a brain child of the new Deal during the Roosevelt administration. Its major objective was to clear up blight and to secure land for development by designated developers who in turn will raise the region?s tax ratables. The end result was it will bring better quality of life to the neighborhood. In theory they were idealistic plans that will contribute to the public good. Robert Caro?s book, ?Power Broker: The fall of New York? would be a good reading in understanding how the system works.
Inevitably such schemes become cesspool for corruption and cronyism. ?Pay to play? became the buzz word where developers with deep pockets were able to influence local government in the planning process with voters having only a token say in what happens. The forty years statute will ensure that decisions made will remain permanent unless challenged. Redevelopment Agencies also have a built in clause whereby if they show a deficit they can continue to function beyond this time period in contradiction to the Sunset laws which requires them to be dissolved after the projects are completed. This almost never happen because those in charge will make sure that substantial amount of Bonds will be issued to ensure liabilities will always exist together with high compensation for office holders. Since these agencies are quasi-government. There is only limited transparency making it not so easy for even members of the city council to know the details on the transactions taking place.

To make matters worse, funds diverted to pay off redevelopment debts and related fees remove vital revenues for regular general fund operations.. or any other city engaging in creating bonded indebtedness. These siphoned off funds would be better spent to pay for schools, police and fire rather than a waterfront property redevelopment project.
While they call it redevelopment, many projects do not entail redevelopment. Many such projects in poor
Neighbourhoods could be used to fund a magnificent Redevelopment Agency funded golf course or a football field..

No one really likes to be anti-development, even those who say they do. But the truth is we do have to be vigilant

Sometimes there is confusion about who is going to pay for a recreational park or a Riverwalk. If you listen to the city, it will be paid by community contributions from developers or if there is excess budget after the municipal ?tax bucket? is satisfied.

However, the truth is that the City Council, acting as the governing body of the Redevelopment Agency, is siphoning off taxes from our total tax revenue into a different account. From that, they will contribute our tax dollars to developers for their leisure development and district. The diversion usually lasts for at least 15 years and might last for as many as 30 or 40 years.

The Redevelopment Agency also has unrestrained financial power, to the extent that they can plan and float tax increment bonds

This maneuver is pulled off through an existing legal strategy whereby taxpayers are prevented from approving any bond debt that can be struck. As a result, they unknowingly become obligated should the project not produce increased taxes,or not be completed or fail. If you will remember the decade long litigation on the lot behind the medical center which exposed the city to the tune of 21 million dollars from a lawsuit filed by the property owner. The Redevelopment Agency in turn switch the blame to the selected developer which the said was the beneficiary of the land in question. Bond Repayment is less assured, because lenders usually charge high fees and interest, making this type of bonds an expensive way to borrow money. However they do get approved because the expeditors/brokers are usually rewarded with great commissions for their hard work.

When used to offset the high costs of redeveloping blighted sites in poor neighborhoods, this type of financing can be an effective economic development tool. However, citizens recognize that the Jersey City waterfront properties are now the most affluent areas and can produce high tax revenues needed for the general fund.


Of course, we always assume that the city council would never be a party in any financial meltdown if it occurs; however floating bonds and contributing taxes against the uncertainty of property tax revenues is disgusting and deserves censure by its citizens.

These subsidies disadvantage local, independent small businesses trying to make it, because they must shoulder a higher tax burden in areas where part of the city?s property tax revenue is being diverted from city services and used instead to pay off bonds that financed selected or competing businesses.

Tax breaks for individual developers and monetary economic development incentives to encourage development could be a good idea but sometimes does not work out the way we think it should. These incentives are veiled by the city council to entice the public into believing they are getting something for nothing ?This spin prevents taxpayers from recognizing that our ?tax bucket? has been raided to serve special interests at the expense of dollars desperately needed to run our government. A case in point. When the Gulls Cove Development was built, the developer promised a donation of nearly a million dollars to purchased recreational land for the ? kids? in Jersey City. As a result they got approval easily for the sixteen storeys structure.
The condition was if the donated money was not used the developer was expected to get the money back. Within three years.
Three years later, the money was spent. The bulk was used to pay off the JCRA lawyers, planners and consultants. The City Council was then requested to authorized the disposal of what remained of the funds.
No money was ever used for its intended purpose

Our local government officials must be honest with taxpayers about the developer giveaways, costs, tax breaks and risks involved in this type of funding.
Taxpayers need to speak out against this back-breaker.

The real facts are that these ?Redevelopment Agencies/Operations? are nothing more than air cover for exploiting the citizen/taxpayers.

They purposefully lack transparency and violate all the basic tenants of sound control of activities. The very fact that competitive bidding is ignored just underscores one of the many problems with these agencies.

They become an indestructible state onto themselves. The special interest love them and they promote them for their own greedy self interest.

The NJ legislature should outright eliminate them and give the present existing ones a 10 year sunset.

Beyond the floor the ?redevelopment agency has the exclusive use of all increases in property tax revenues generated in its designated project areas? be it due to improvements or resale of properties in the zone at higher values.

With redevelopment, cities have the power to directly subsidize commercial development through cash grants, tax rebates or free land. Spelled out in a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA), a developer receives lucrative public funding for projects the agency favors. Some receive cash up front from the sale of bonds they will never have to repay. Others receive raw acreage or land already cleared of inconvenient small businesses and homes through acquisition also known as eminent domain. The developers purchase the land at a substantial discount from the agency. Sometimes it is free.?
Unless the voting public get more educated they will be marching on the new road to surfdom





Posted on: 2014/9/25 13:45
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Proposed development on Van Vorst between Sussex & Morris
#11
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


A major change is happening on this section of downtown jersey city. This calls for an amendment to a redevelopment plan known as "Tidewater Basin Redevelopment plan" proposed on 8/11/14. It says the developer has met with impacted residents on nearby streets as well as multiple times with the "neighborhood association". I just found out about it through someone in the neighbourhood two days ago. The final reading will be on 9-23-14 tuesday at 5.30 pm before the city counci , two days from now.. Since this is the first item on the agenda be there early if you have comments about the project or how you could be impacted. This is your opportunity to voice your views.

Posted on: 2014/9/21 20:30
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Hudson Light Rail- Worst system ever !
#12
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


The recent cut in time from 90 mins to 60 mins has provoked me to write about the fare system which is the worst kind of design for a transit system. I have traveled widely worldwide and have yet to see a more moronic system that was designed for a public transportation light rail system. During the early years when the system was being planned, public comments were invited. I did my share in written comments but it was simply ignored. The powers to be politicians already decided what they wanted to do in conjunction with Raytheon, the contractor with the multi million dollar project.
As has been described by the media, the fare system is so user unfriendly and so prone to fare beating it will always be an unprofitable system and a burden to the travelling public and tax payers as well. Now the negatives about the system design including the frequency of accidents are coming back to haunt us.

Posted on: 2014/7/12 14:31
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Re: Red Light Camera Warning!
#13
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


With all these discussions on red light cameras, trying to explain to everyonewho supports it would be quite futile without understanding the big picture. So I will not go into a debate on its merits.

However let me warn you of a new one on the ramp from Route 7 and turning onto route 440 going south. This is almost a "gotcha" red light trap. When you make a right on a red you will get a ticket. The no left turn sign on RED is quite well hidden by foliage and cannot be easily seen when approaching this intersection. I had wanted to snap a picture of it but due to the heavy traffic I did not take a picture yet. If the sign was under the red light this would be easy for some to obey the law. This is an example of the" gotcha mentality" and how to increase the yield of the tickets. Those of you taking that route, just heed this warning and dont get trapped by this new mouse trap.

Posted on: 2014/6/25 20:07
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Re: Public Meeting with Port Authority Reps: 2/18/14 @ 7:30pm
#14
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Frankly I am also very disappointed several days ago when passengers were told to disembarked at an alternative entrance all the way on West street near the waterfront at least a ten minute walk from the usual escalator entrance which was closed. You have all these personnel standing around with suits doing nothing. Common sense would mean getting some Scotch tape and paper with hand written directions pasted on the wall showing people where to go instead of them wandering around looking for exits in those half constructed labyrinthian tunnels to their regular destination. Imagine if there was a fire ! The only people offerring directions were the private security guards working at their posts.
All the recent events will bring this invisible government answerable to the public in time. If NY and NJ cannot proceed with some constructive reform, its time the Federal Govenrment step in to reform this monster organization.

Posted on: 2014/2/19 2:26
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Re: WARNING: do not use systrum energy as your util supplier - SCAM
#15
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


These third party utilities suppliers preys on the elderly and less informed customers. They are the little ""Enrons"that call you day and night on the phone touting the benefits of their plan by giving you a better rate than PSEG.

Although you still get your bill from PSEG they will not show the details of the plan used by the third part except a one line statement who your third party vendor is and too often that name is different from who you had contracted with. Few years ago, I was also take in and when I found out about the scam it was quite a hassle calling PSEG to send you a copy of their rate plan. It also took some effort , signing off authorization papers , etc in order to unleech from them when the contract becomes due. The contract automatically renews if you do pay attention. For some people they will save some money but for most of us its not worth the hassle.

The story about the Mayor of Bayonne supporting such energy choice plan is interesting. Who knows ? You need to study this before committing yourself.

On a side story we had a former mayor of Jersey City touting the benefits of reverse mortgages. Celebrities supported it on TV. For me its another way to strip from seniors, depending on how you see it.



Posted on: 2014/2/15 0:45
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Re: Man plummets to his death from 26th floor of Jersey City building on waterfront
#16
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Unfortunately we see this quite often among young people from other cultures who come to the US to study and find they cannot cope with the pressure. NYU has experienced an epidemic of suicides lately. Too often its the guilt on the financial burden they had put on their family especially if their studies are not going well.

Posted on: 2014/2/13 20:11
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Re: $4 minimum wage would cure jobless rates
#17
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Before we even start considering this minimum wage issue why not go back to the Eisenhower era where we tax the wealthy up to 90% of their income and that should include members of congress. Not until recently, in most parts of Europe the income of the highest paid CEO was only four times the national average. Now thats what I call true checks and balance and perhaps address our national debt.

Posted on: 2014/2/13 19:52
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Jitney service from DTJC to Newark Airport
#18
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Not too shy to talk


Does anybody know whether a Jitney service operates between DTJC and the airport. Tired of paying the $35.00 cab ride

Posted on: 2014/2/4 17:41
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Re: Virile Barber Shop
#19
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Not too shy to talk


Although $12.00 is average in most places, you can get a haircut for as low as $7.00 around WTC or lower Manhattan.

Posted on: 2014/2/4 17:34
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Anyone experienced billing problems with United Water ?
#20
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Not too shy to talk


United water takes more than 10 days to clear check sent by mail. They do not have electronic payment receving like PSEG. They slap me with penalty for late payment even though payment was mailed more than ten days before due date. They use to have an office in DTJC which you can make payment before the due date and obtain a receipt but it has since closed and you cannot even do that anymore.

Posted on: 2014/2/4 17:25
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Re: Port Authority plans to extend PATH to Newark airport
#21
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


This should have been done long ago. The Rip Van Winkle of the PA has decided this is an important link. Unfortunately it may take them another decade for this to come true.

Posted on: 2014/2/4 17:18
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The next real estate bubble
#22
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


A few days ago I participated in a discussion on the subject of Australian Investors buying up property in Jersey City. My explanation raised a lot of eyebrows with many coming on with not so warm comments.
The New York Times article on 01/30/2014 in Business Day by Michael Corkery made my day since it is describing exactly what I felt was going to happen -"The next real estate bubble? engineered by the Banksters. Real Estate prices in less desirable neighbourhoods will go up for the wrong reasons making it more difficult for people on modest income to own their own home. The majority will end up being renters of properties owned by these large corporations in the major cities.
I am glad some Members of Congress are taking notice by requesting hearings on how such single family rental bonds will impact on the housing market.

Posted on: 2014/1/30 17:38
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Re: Future of Newport Mall
#23
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


One of the reasons i shop at Target instead at Newport is the convenient free parking. Due to the high rental rates there has been much turn over on retail spaces in the Mall. Many of these businesses will survive for a few years and they are gone. Like most Malls across America it will face hard times if the economy does not pick up soon .

Posted on: 2014/1/29 21:12
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Re: Incentives for opening small biz outside of downtown
#24
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


It may not be a bad idea to get the Mayor and Council members to streamline what was formally known as the "Mayors Action Committee". I am not sure what their functions were other than helping senior citizens on various issues.
It can be part of an advocacy group to assist anyone who wishes to start a business here in JC. It is no surprise that many who tried to work with the different divisions are given the run around by some rogue divisions and unfortunately some are really obsessed with this "gotcha" mentality. This advocacy group can report directly to the Mayor or the Council and perhaps make the City a more user friendly place to do business.

Posted on: 2014/1/28 22:58
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Re: Changes to the Land Development
#25
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


I briefly reviewed the proposed changes and also have questions

Re: proposed city ordinance 14.004

The reader need to review the changes taking place

What was before and what new requirements are introduced .
and what are the details being repealed.

"A. All Ordinances and part of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. "

Posted on: 2014/1/25 21:24
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Re: Asian Food Market on Route 440
#26
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Hi,
Did any one notice any haemoglobin clams( cockles) in their sea food counter ? Last week i was able to pick several pounds up at the Korean H-Mart on 1 & 9. Although they were large 1.5~ 2 inch dia they do not taste as good as the smaller variety. They cost $4.99/lb . For those who can appreciate it , they taste like heaven with the spicy sauce.

Posted on: 2014/1/24 19:47
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Re: Australians investors buying up Jersey City housing
#27
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Wow, This was what I thought was happening. What can we do about it ? Almost nothing !Too many people are on the verge of foreclosure and with the high taxes it is too tempting not to pass it off.
Yup, are these really "Australian Investors" or are they your "friendly banker" (disguised)supposedly setting this foreign trust to extract massive gains on the backs of us poor property owners. Just for arguments sake, why would Australians, 10K miles away want to dabble in the US with all its regulatory complications and problems. . They are better off nearer to countries closer to them with much greater opportunities. Just imagine bundling the rental income and bundling it up as REIT securities and selling it on Wall Stree and making great profits. What a great business plan !. Guess they never teach that in business school but you are saddled with student loans that take years to pay off. Our banks can borrow money from the central bank (Federal Reserve) at very low interest and play this game. Congress should investigate this whole damn sh**t before it becomes too late.

Posted on: 2014/1/23 17:18
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Re: Australians investors buying up Jersey City housing
#28
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Unless someone can refute my opinion I think these "Australian Investors" are none other than our domestic investment banks doing a new trick after the mortgage crisis in 2008. They will always create a new way to make money at the expense of the ignorant .

1) Most of these houses usually must be cash only deal. You never have a chance if you need a mortgage to buy it

2) You will see the buys clustered in a particular neighborhood if you can digitized the data in map of the district. Many are confused why such properties are showing a rise in value in distressed neighborhoods . It simply means these vultures are buying it up.

3) The properties will be fixed up and rented out and offered at market rate rents.

4) The rents are bundled and traded in Wall Street like REITs. This is the new form of AMERICAN GREED !

5) There is no law against this practice. Their legal advisors have researched this throughly. Unfortunatelly it is happening all over the country, e.g Atlanta, Las Vegas, Florida, Detroit, etc. They camouflaged under names such as "Innovative Homes", etc.

In time we will all eventually be a nation of renters in the cities. These banksters are disgusting !

Posted on: 2014/1/23 16:09
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Re: "Asian Supermarket" on 440--open? Real name?
#29
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


To those new to Jersey City, this must be welcoming news . To those who like to shop Asian but must travel to 555 on Rt 1& 9. this is perfect. Nevertheless it may impact the other smaller Asian groceries However due to the increasing asian population in JC, there should be sufficient business to keep everyone happy.
For many years, due to pushbacks, politically or otherwise, there was no asian food market in the area. The last one was called Asian Food International which opened at the site where the current Target Dept store is now located. When Asian Foodmart International started their business the site was abandoned for a while when they acquired tenancy . Although they had signed a long term lease with the landlord and had spent millions of dollars in renovation, they were forced to stop their business because Kmart Holdings went into bankruptcy and their lease became void.
All of us at that time were very surprised because it was the only Asian supermarket in the area and was doing very well.

It seems Kmart was only a sublease and the property owner was someone else. A Korean liquor store owner lost his investment of about 2 million after he opened his store in the complex.

I hope Asian Market best of luck and hope they will succeed and hope the landlord does not push their rent to an impossible level.

Although there is great parking, For many without cars, this may be a problem. Maybe the Jitneys should start a service for those who wish to get there from downtown JC

Posted on: 2014/1/23 11:32
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