Visions for Vacancies: What Business Should Fill Renovated Park Plaza?

In Park Plaza, the retail space for lease at 528 Bloomfield Ave. has been vacant since the completion of renovations in March 2011.

The storefront flex-space, either 11,000 square feet or 15,000 square feet, used to be location of a 40-year-old salon, LuJon, before the complete renovation and expansion started in 2010.

The other available space, where We the People was located, at 534 Bloomfield Ave., was just leased out said owner Gertrude Jannett, leaving this storefront the last space available.

Across the street from the Verona Park and within walking distance to numerous pizza places and shops, this recently renovated retail space sits in prime location for any business and could add to Verona’s Bloomfield Avenue store selection selection.

So this is where you come in, Verona and Cedar Grove community. The concept behind this column is we’ll present a vacant building and ask you to tell us what you think would be the best use of the vacant space.

Here's the fun part: Forget what zone it’s in. Ignore setback regulations, as well as dump lot coverage rules and all the other zoning jargon that puts most people to sleep.

Our bottom line: If you had your way, what would you like to see there? What would be the best use of the space for the community?

To make this work, this can’t be a one-sided conversation. We want to hear from you in our comments section. And, please, let us know if there’s a vacant space/building you know of as well we can feature in a future column. 

Send emails about vacant buildings or stores to Essex County Associate Regional Editor Jack Durschlag at jack.durschlag@patch.com.

About this column: Patch wants your help deciding what to do with vacant buildings around town. What's your ideal business to take over a vacant building. Let us know.