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Hah. Every time I walk down Newark I wonder how all of these nail salons and hair dressers get enough business to stay open. Another one is opening up near grove next to the yogurt place. How? Why?

Isn't there already something before the planning board to divide one of those spaces?

I like the idea of a competition, but I bet those spaces get divided up all by themselves. You can probably fit 4 pizzerias and 3 nail salons in each ;)

Good idea CdeCoincy. Those spaces are so cavernous that you'd think they would have to be subdivided somehow and with entrances on CC Drive. This building was a popular mall when I was in college and now being turned into micro apartments http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Westminster_Arcade.jpg

Maybe they can put a Raymour & Flanigan in one of those spaces, that seems to be popular among the newbies.

I'd like to suggest that someone in JC government sponsor a design competition for the reuse of large commercial spaces. Several large spaces will be coming onto the market on Newark Avenue, and I question how viable they are as single tenant spaces. Maybe a project for some of the local schools of architecture or urban planning. Off the top of my head (I'm 5'8" so my ideas aren't too lofty) interior streets, shared facilities like kitchens or storerooms come to mind. Think this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galerie_Vivienne on a more modest scale.

Many of the wishes expressed in the previous posts are great, but could an Ethiopian Resto fill what is now Rainbow? I bet 6-8 shops could fill CH Martin.