On an Upswing, Springfield Avenue Shines

Springfield Avenue is bustling these days. Scores of new businesses have recently opened in and around the area, and while there are still vacancies, overall the Avenue appears to be on an upswing.

Maplewood's Director of Community Relations Annette DePalma said a common reaction to the improvements the township has made over the last decade or so is, "The Avenue looks good." She said some businesses who considered investing 20 years ago but didn't are now reconsidering. 

"Springfield Avenue is pretty lively," she said.

Since the township launched a townwide retail recruitment campaign last year, retailers and developers have shown interest in the Avenue, said DePalma. "We have gotten primary interest from restaurant people and [builders interested in doing] mixed-use developments," she said. 

The township is embarking on the campaign's second phase, which will be more narrowly tailored to developers interested in small mixed-use projects. "There is a tremendous demand for that kind of housing," said DePalma.

Here are some highlights:

• New businesses have opened including Deal$ Dollar Store, Ashley Home Furniture, Zakiyah's Way Floral Design, Gigi's Cupcakes, PRO Elite Nutrition, Larel's Hair, Da Kitchen, IncPics and CKO Kickboxing -- and others have expanded into larger spaces (like Puppy Love Spa and Express Yourself Studios).

• Maplewood Commons, a 126-unit (plus eight townhouse style condos) apartment complex on Burnett Avenue just off Springfield Avenue, will begin leasing soon and will be ready for occupancy in August, said developer David Checcio of Elite Properties. 

Apartments will have amenities including stainless steel appliances, washer/dryers and granite counters, and each building will have its own common room and fitness center, Checcio said. There will be walking paths connecting the complex to DeHart Park, according to the website.

• Building will soon begin at 1611 Springfield Ave., across from the Maplewood Police Department. The project, which has been in the works for several years, will feature 5,275 square feet of retail space on the ground floor as well as six apartments on the second floor.

Daibes Gas 14 LLC, a subsidiary of Daibes Enterprises of Edgewater, will construct the building, to be located on a triangular plot of land across the street from the Police & Courts Building and from Walgreens on Burnett Avenue.

The Economic Development Committee will next turn its attention to the Irvington Avenue business corridor. "It's already a thriving place, with many businesses and housing," DePalma said. "We want to make it a more desirable shopping area and encourage merchants to become more active in the Chamber of Commerce."

She also noted that the township has been approached by several developers "who will throw their hat in the ring" regarding the redevelopment of the Maplewood Post Office site in the Village.

For more information on Maplewood's economic development efforts, see this page on the township website. Check the Springfield Avenue Partnership's webpage for more information on the Avenue.