New Park N Shop owner plans renovations

However, he said, in the past few years, the center has “gone downhill,” with several vacancies and facilities in need of repair.

That’s why Grant and Burroughs were excited to learn the Park N Shop sold to a new group of owners last month.

“I’m looking forward to it getting back to what it was,” Burroughs said.

According to public records, the $4.5 million deal closed June 18. The Gallo family, longtime owners of the 4.6-acre plaza, sold the land to a group of 10 limited liability companies.

The property is being managed by DSM Commercial, a property management firm headquartered on South Chapel Street. DSM, which came on as property manager before the sale, also has an ownership interest in the property, said Managing Partner Tripp Way.

He said DSM is finalizing renovation plans and seeking new tenants to fill the vacancies.

“We’re going to renovate the center, dress it up and clean it up,” Way said. “We see it as a valuable investment that can be cleaned up and be a tremendous asset for South Main Street and the city of Newark.”

He would not comment on any potential tenants.

“All that stuff will come in due time,” he said. “We have a lot of options we’re considering. Whatever makes the most sense for us, the community and the tenants, we’ll explore.”

City officials: Wawa no longer a likely tenant

The Park N Shop was thrust into the spotlight in February 2013 when Wawa unveiled plans to build a 4,999-square-foot store and 12 gas pumps in the shopping center. The plans called for the store to be built at the corner of Apple Road and South Main Street, at the site of the vacant M&T Bank building.

Concerned about traffic and light pollution, many in the community formed a grassroots campaign and signed petitions to fight against the project. Debate over the Wawa drove the conversation in the city for several months and was a factor in the September resignation of Mayor Vance A Funk III.

At that time, the property was managed by Delle Donne & Associates, which later parted ways with the landowner.

The plan never moved forward, and its current status is not entirely clear.

Way would not comment on issues regarding Wawa, but Mayor Polly Sierer and Councilwoman Marge Hadden both told the Newark Post that DSM informed them it is not pursuing Wawa.

“I don’t see that being an option,” Sierer said.

Earlier this year, Hadden wrote in a letter to her constituents that Wawa canceled its lease agreement with the shopping center.

“From the discussions I’ve had with DSM, Wawa is not an applicant they’re currently pursuing,” she added last week.

Wawa did not respond to requests for comment. However, in February, a representative said the project was on hold due to “issues with the ownership of that property.” The plaza was sold a few months later.

The Wawa plan called for demolishing the part of the plaza closest to Apple Road to make room for more parking. The Newark Barber Shop is located in that portion of the building, but its owners say DSM has indicated to them that the demolition is no longer in the plans.

Councilwoman seeks ‘neighborhood-friendly’ tenants

Sierer said she is glad to see renovations coming to the aging Park N Shop.

“It’s old and it’s not a good picture of what Newark is,” she said.

She and other city officials recently met with DSM to talk about their vision for the center and to bring up a few concerns.

“The center needs to be walkable and bicycle-friendly,” Sierer said. “We’re also concerned about the back of the building, where people tend to hang out.”

Hadden, who represents the neighborhood surrounding the shopping center, said DSM needs to keep in mind the Park N Shop’s proximity to residential areas and make sure whatever tenants come in are “neighborhood-friendly.”

“With the direction the city is going to become pedestrian-friendly, I hope they find something that fits that direction,” she said.

She said she would like to see Old Navy or a similar store come to the center, noting that Newark no longer has many clothing stores.

“Everybody wants Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s,” she added.

Burroughs said he would like to see a deli or family-owned pizzeria open up in the shopping center.

Though still a supporter of the Wawa, Grant suggested that Dunkin’ Donuts would be a good fit for the standalone former bank, where Wawa was slated to open.

Sierer said she has been encouraged by her conversations with DSM, noting the company has agreed to hold a community workshop once the plans are more definite.

‘They care and want to do what’s best for the community,” she said.

Hadden echoed those sentiments.

“I just hope they find that business that will make everybody say ‘Yay, that’s what we had in mind,’” she said.