vindication15 wrote:
Quote:

VA2015 wrote:
One thing that no one considers is that even the higher income households in downtown JC were often originally motivated to move to the area in part due to affordability and thus don't necessarily look down on all the discount stores.

My household is above the median income and we still shop at the dollar stores. Stuff like holiday gift bags, basic kitchen items like dishtowels (so once they get grody after a few months there's no guilt tossing them), materials for craft projects, etc. - we go to the dollar store first.

I don't know how typical we are of the demographics who shop there. But not everyone who moves in to the neighborhood wants it to change to some luxury playground. Look at how that worked out for Manhattan under Bloomberg, or how homogeneous Hoboken has gotten. Plenty of people are moving to JC to get away from all that, not recreate it here.

If you are above the median income in DTJC, which is 100k and you are shopping at a 99 cent store, then either you are lying about your income or you have 8 kids.

vindication15 wrote:
Quote:

VA2015 wrote:
One thing that no one considers is that even the higher income households in downtown JC were often originally motivated to move to the area in part due to affordability and thus don't necessarily look down on all the discount stores.

My household is above the median income and we still shop at the dollar stores. Stuff like holiday gift bags, basic kitchen items like dishtowels (so once they get grody after a few months there's no guilt tossing them), materials for craft projects, etc. - we go to the dollar store first.

I don't know how typical we are of the demographics who shop there. But not everyone who moves in to the neighborhood wants it to change to some luxury playground. Look at how that worked out for Manhattan under Bloomberg, or how homogeneous Hoboken has gotten. Plenty of people are moving to JC to get away from all that, not recreate it here.

If you are above the median income in DTJC, which is 100k and you are shopping at a 99 cent store, then either you are lying about your income or you have 8 kids which then I understand.

Calling Hoboken Homogenous is a subjective statement. Want to know what is a factual statement. Their home prices beats DTJC's home prices:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Hoboken-New-Jersey.html

Hoboken: Mean prices in 2011: All housing units: $532,962; Detached houses: $659,639; Townhouses or other attached units: $804,041; In 2-unit structures: $728,171; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $586,025; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $408,296

http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Downtown-Jersey-City-NJ.html

DTJC 2010: Detached houses: $298,823; Townhouses or other attached units: $560,558; In 2-unit structures: $531,024; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $372,236; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $309,972

VA2015 wrote:
One thing that no one considers is that even the higher income households in downtown JC were often originally motivated to move to the area in part due to affordability and thus don't necessarily look down on all the discount stores.

My household is above the median income and we still shop at the dollar stores. Stuff like holiday gift bags, basic kitchen items like dishtowels (so once they get grody after a few months there's no guilt tossing them), materials for craft projects, etc. - we go to the dollar store first.

I don't know how typical we are of the demographics who shop there. But not everyone who moves in to the neighborhood wants it to change to some luxury playground. Look at how that worked out for Manhattan under Bloomberg, or how homogeneous Hoboken has gotten. Plenty of people are moving to JC to get away from all that, not recreate it here.

user1111 wrote:
Quote:

RUinHamiltonPark wrote:


Why does the main part of the city need so many discount stores?

Just in case you didn't know dtjc is a destination spot for many who don't live down there.

I have many neighbors who take the lightrail on Saturday morning and go dtjc to shop for groceries or hit the mall. Which I think is idiotic since you are a few stops away from NYC but that's me.

Many people who do not live dtjc have been shopping dtjc for years sometimes 2 or 3 generations. I have said it once and I will say it again, if you are making over 70k a year you are a minority here in JC. People who shop dtjc make from 18k to 40k a year and that is why they continue to shop at discount stores all around the city.

This is why Trader Joe's or WF wont step foot here because the reality is we have more poor folks than not so poor folks.

user1111 wrote:
Quote:

RUinHamiltonPark wrote:


Why does the main part of the city need so many discount stores?

Just in case you didn't know dtjc is a destination spot for many who don't live down there.

I have many neighbors who take the lightrail on Saturday morning and go dtjc to shop for groceries or hit the mall. Which I think is idiotic since you are a few stops away from NYC but that's me.

Many people who do not live dtjc have been shopping dtjc for years sometimes 2 or 3 generations. I have said it once and I will say it again, if you are making over 70k a year you are a minority here in JC. People who shop dtjc make from 18k to 40k a year and that is why they continue to shop at discount stores all around the city.

This is why Trader Joe's or WF wont step foot here because the reality is we have more poor folks than not so poor folks.

tommyc_37 wrote:
Quote:

RUinHamiltonPark wrote:
I think the Fri/Sat option is a good one. During the week there is too much traffic. Maybe even do it periodically to test it first.

Grove is southbound only. Are there really that many people, driving, that are going from Barrow Street intersection of Newark Ave, east on Newark Ave, to then go south on Grove Street? Why wouldn't they just continue - one block - to Columbus to get to where they are going to points east and south? It almost makes no sense to NOT have that section of Newark Ave as pedestrian-only.

user1111 wrote:

Many people who do not live dtjc have been shopping dtjc for years sometimes 2 or 3 generations. I have said it once and I will say it again, if you are making over 70k a year you are a minority here in JC. People who shop dtjc make from 18k to 40k a year and that is why they continue to shop at discount stores all around the city.

This is why Trader Joe's or WF wont step foot here because the reality is we have more poor folks than not so poor folks.

RUinHamiltonPark wrote:


Why does the main part of the city need so many discount stores?

RUinHamiltonPark wrote:
I think the Fri/Sat option is a good one. During the week there is too much traffic. Maybe even do it periodically to test it first.

There is a dollar store at the mall. There is Target. There are bajillion discount places in the Heights.

Why does the main part of the city need so many discount stores?

user1111 wrote:
Here is why 99 cents store are so popular..


Dollar stores lure us in with rock-bottom prices. Sometimes you get what you pay for, but often the things they sell are good products at a tremendous discount ? a real bargain.

Watch the video of ?Definitely Buy These 15 Things at a Dollar Store? on MoneyTalksNews.com.

1. Greeting cards

There is no reason to spend $4 to $5 or more on a greeting card when dollar stores typically have a wide selection available for a buck or less. You might not get textured paper or fancy extras like ribbon, but the heartfelt message you write will be the same regardless of how expensive the card looks.

2. Party supplies

By some estimates, you can save up to 70 percent by using party supplies from a dollar store. Get plastic tablecloths, paper plates and cups, streamers and favors from the dollar store and save a bundle. Don?t forget to look for Mylar/foil balloons too. These are an absolute bargain and can easily sell for five times as much elsewhere.

3. Gift bags, boxes and wrapping paper

While you?re getting your party supplies, look for gift bags and wrapping paper too. You could end up paying two or three times more for gift bags and boxes at other stores. In addition, wrapping paper can be a steal. You might not get the same thickness of expensive paper, but for something that?s going to end up in the trash, why pay more?

4. Seasonal d?cor

From extra ornaments for your Christmas tree to a scarecrow to stake in your front yard for the fall, dollar stores can have a surprisingly robust selection of seasonal d?cor. Pick up some bargain-priced items to decorate your house for less. But stay away from holiday lights, which have a poor track record of safety at discount stores.

5. Reading glasses

As we age, we often lose elasticity in our eyes and that makes it more difficult to focus on close objects. In many cases, a simple pair of reading glasses is all you need, and the reading glasses at dollar stores are as good as those found in other stores. However, if you have trouble seeing at a distance, it may be time to schedule an eye exam and see about getting a prescription pair.

6. Hair accessories

From elastic bands to bobby pins to headbands, you can find hair accessories at a fraction of the price at dollar stores. Combs and brushes can be a bargain too.

7. Pregnancy tests

Grocery store pregnancy tests will set you back $10 to $15, but you can find them at some dollar stores for only a buck. You might be wondering whether a $1 pregnancy test is going to be accurate. That?s a good question and, according to this news report, the answer is yes.

8. Vases and decorative bowls

Buy These Things at a Dollar StorePlay videoBuy These Things at a Dollar Store
Don?t bother with other stores for vases and decorative bowls. The dollar store probably carries a number of styles at a price that can?t be beat. You can use vases to skip the florist and make your own, much cheaper arrangements. Or spruce up decorative glass bowls to make inexpensive gifts for family or friends.

9. Mugs and glasses

Like vases and bowls, mugs and glasses are also a good buy at dollar stores. The quality is comparable to what you might get at Walmart or other mass merchandisers. As a bonus, you can typically buy only the items you need rather than being forced to purchase a set.

10. Dishware

Dollar stores also often have a nice selection of open stock dishware. This isn?t going to be top-of-the-line quality, but they?re perfectly serviceable pieces. For those with little kids, dollar store dishes can be just what you need to get you through that phase of life when something seems to get broken in the kitchen on a weekly basis.

11. Storage containers

Plastic storage containers also get a thumbs up when it comes to great dollar store buys. In the grocery store, you can easily pay up to $5 for disposable containers. Get them for a buck at the dollar store instead. You can also find some great deals on storage bags, but be wary of off-brands that may not seal correctly.

12. Picture frames

If you?re crafty, dollar store picture frames are an excellent buy. With a little paint or other decoration, bargain frames can look as nice on your walls as their more expensive counterparts. However, quality can vary widely. Check the joints to make sure they are secure and look for stray glue that may be difficult to remove.

13. Bagged or boxed candy

Checkout lane candy will likely be just as cheap, if not cheaper, at the grocery store, but movie theater-style boxed candy and bagged candy can be a bargain at the dollar store. Next Halloween, head there for your treats rather than paying supermarket prices.

14. Socks

Much of the clothing you find at dollar stores is of an inferior quality and not worth the money. One exception may be socks. Dollar store socks can be as good as department store varieties if you buy the right type. Look for ones made with acrylic or spandex for a comfy fit.

15. Washcloths and dish towels

Finally, the price of washcloths and dish towels at the dollar store can?t be beat. You need to be careful with some towels that won?t be absorbent enough to dry dishes. However, even those work great as cleaning rags.

hero69 wrote:
Leave my 99cent and CH Martin alone!

PremiumContent wrote:
Yeah I just snagged a cheap but effective garbage can from CH Martin. Would have been twice the price at Shoprite or a similar store.

hero69 wrote:
I second making Newark from Erie to Grove a pedestrian zone