Hello, everyone. This is my first post and I seem to now be resurrecting a dead topic. However, I wanted to discuss the future of Newport now that the wretched waste of space Pay/Half is now gone after 15 years.

If you haven't seen, the Pay/Half space is being divided into two restaurant spaces (something the mall desperately needed to be completely honest). The construction has begun on the outside of this space directly across from the light rail. It looks like the former truck dock (specifically used for Pay/Half and former Filene's Basement) is being demolished and these two restaurants will have outdoor entrances and hopefully outdoor patio seating, with a gorgeous view of the lovely light rail station and its charming riders of course.

As for what will take over these two spots, nothing has been made official yet. The big rumor is The Cheesecake Factory, which I will not be surprised if it is true. Although I am quite frankly sick of the abundance of CFs in NJ (8 locations now and Short Hills being the closest), I welcome it. The location and spot works too. The CF in Trumbull, CT is what comes to mind when I envision the finished product.

No clue as for the second spot. I have heard rumors about Legal Sea Foods and McCormick and Schmicks. If not one of these two, I can see P.F. Chang's or Brio Tuscan Grille. Something along those lines.

As for new stores, I am hoping for a J. Crew or Banana, but hopefully those will come with the changing of Metro Plaza into a new high rise development. For some weird reason, American Apparel is opening upstairs, even though they are right next to the seemingly successful Hoboken store. I have a feeling this store won't make it here. A Uniqlo would be great instead.