Application To Raze 19th Century Building In Princeton Under Review

PRINCETON, NJ — The Princeton Planning Board is all set to review an application that calls for the demolishing of a 19th-century building on Witherspoon Street.

CRX Associates LLC, which owns 70-74 Witherspoon Street, is seeking preliminary and final site approval to raze the building. The structure currently houses the Terra Momo Bread Company and A Little Taste of Cuba – a cigar store.

The owners plan to build a three-story building that will include the bakery and a 94-seat restaurant. The building will also have three apartment units – two on the second floor and one on the third.

The developers are also seeking a variance for parking. The building will require 11 parking spots, but the plan does not show where they will be located.

The property, located in the Central Business District zone, does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Historic Preservation Commission. However, it is located near two historic districts – the Princeton Historic District and the Witherspoon Jackson Historic District.

The site was the location of Mrs. Virginia Mills’ Beauty Salon – a Black-owned business. The salon was in operation from 1931 to 1976, according to the Municipality website. Preservationists for long have argued that the building should be included in the Witherspoon Jackson Historic District.

On July 18, the Princeton Historic Preservation Commission held a “cursory” review of the application, due to the building’s ties to the Black community. In her review of the proposal, historic preservation officer Elizabeth H. Kim wrote: "This is an important property that is deeply connected to the commerce and the historic landscape of downtown Princeton but also to the cultural history of the Witherspoon-Jackson Historic District."

"The Applicant is urged to reconsider preserving the streetscape portion of the existing structure and developing the property with additions to the rear section of the existing building."

The Planning Board will review the application on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81059381349; Webinar ID: 810 5938 1349

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