Westfield Focused On Business Openings, Not Closings

WESTFIELD, NJ - The business landscape in downtown Westfield keeps changing and evolving and as businesses close others are expanding and sprouting up to take their place.

"It has been great spending so much time at so many ribbon cuttings over the past few weeks. While I know we often focus on the businesses that are closing, I think it’s even more important to focus on those that are opening," Mayor Shelley Brindle said at Tuesday's meeting of the Mayor and Council. "They represent a new wave of innovative brick and mortar business owners who are adapting to the online marketplace by offering services and experiences, and are choosing Westfield because of our amazing and supportive community."

Brindle offered congratulations to:

• Alpha Fit Club
• Cinnaholic
• JAG-ONE Physical Therapy
• Bespoke By Gambert
• Roig Collection Westfield Art + Framing
• OsteoStrong Westfield

She also gave a shout out to Spice Bazaar for their impending expansion which is set to open for business on June 10, replacing Ambeli Greek Taverna.

"In speaking with the owner, he said that managing two locations was taking its toll and has decided to focus exclusively on his original Cranford location," Brindle said.

Also coming in June is Buddha Fish, a high end sushi restaurant, will open at 35 Elm Street in the former Mojave Grill location and Innovasian Taco will open at 106 Quimby Street, at the corner of Central Avenue.

This fall, Brindle noted the bar options will expand with the addition of Bareburger and Lions Roar Brewing Co.

READ MORE:

• Spice Bazaar Sets Expansion Opening Date
• Westfield Microbrewery Approved. When Will It Open?
• $1 Cinnamon Rolls Friday As Westfield Cinnaholic Opens
• Westfield Lord & Taylor's Future Uncertain
• Westfield Resident Expands Business In Honor Of Late Brother

Brindle said previously that she does not rely on the downtown vacancy rate as a success metric.

"And I won't, until we have sufficiently addressed the root of the problem, which is a lack of daytime foot traffic," she said. "Retailers and restaurants can not survive on weekend business alone."

Brindle said that local employers are the biggest driver of weekday foot traffic whose employees shop in the stores and eat in the restaurants.

"We have lost hundreds of employees over the last several years due to a lack of employee parking and modern office space," Brindle said. "If we can improve daytime foot traffic, the retail problem will take care of itself."

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