This may not be news to some readers, but it struck me as newsworthy, so I snapped a picture through the windshield while waiting for the light to change. The vintage 1970s McDonalds in Greenport is now only a memory.
So “they” tore down the old McDonalds, not to mention the sweet old house back there, so that “they” could build a NEW McDonalds and a new Aldi’s, so that the current Aldis could go vacant. Fairview is such a hot mess.
Regarding the old ShopRite building, this is what I have heard. It comes from a reliable source, but I have not vetted the information.
There is some agreement with Wakefern, the parent company of ShopRite, that the building will not be used for a supermarket, lest there be competition for the existing ShopRite store now located in what had been a PriceChopper store.
Also, the reuse of ShopRite as Aldi's was mentioned at the many Greenport Planning Board meetings about this project, and TRG, the owner of the first two malls going out Fairview and the group creating the new "retail center," maintained that Aldi didn't want to move into an old building. They wanted a new building. I find this need to rebuild and replace every few decades, which apparently is part of the business plan of many chain stores, remarkably wasteful and disturbing.
This is an on-going old issue - for instance back before the 'new' mall - Widewaters, where Kohl's is. This was protested too, a new big Walmart was built leaving the old one vacant in the old Price Chopper mall where Shoprite is. All to no avail. The 'malls' go further out - there are more empty buildings and more tarmac. More traffic and congestion. More lighting, more energy consumption.
I dread driving down Fairview on an occasional trip to whatever task needs doing like this weekend. Kinda ugly, depressing, unfriendly. Loaded with the most redundant chains found across anywhere suburban USA in a hodgepodge mess. And forget about it if there's an obstruction. Why oh why can't something constructive be done with the old ShopRite like charming (did I say charming!?) housing for the middle class. Market rate apartments perhaps something as unique for this town as condos or co-ops. Wouldn't that be refreshing! At least the residents would have easy access to the chain stores and Hudson as an alternative. Whoever runs Greenport has a lot to be desired. Redevelopment of ShopRite is an opportunity to transform into something with vision providing a shot in the arm. Not betting on it. At least the old Macdonald's was torn down rather than left to rot adding to the the multitude of eyesores we already have. And yes, why couldn't the old ShopRite site been developed for the Aldi complex saving the house?! Dysfunction is the norm around here! Oh dear, why! Thanks for the update Carole!
Yes, the old ShopRite property would be a perfect location for mixed apartments and retail. Would put those residents close to food, pharmacy, bank and retail shopping and use of the bus service.
Until November 4th, the old Shop-Rite is housing a children's charity for Albany Med called "Spirit Halloween." The entire space is filled to the brim with Halloween merchandise. It broke my heart to see no one in there.
From the Albany Med website:
"Each year at Halloween time, Spirit Halloween stores bring the season to the Children's Hospital at Albany Med. As part of a huge party, dozens of costumes are provided for the children. Volunteers help with decorations, crafts and games all to create a fun and festive atmosphere.
"The program, now in its 7th year, focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families. Since its beginning, Spirit Halloween, its employees and customers have donated more than $11 million in cash and merchandise to Children's Hospitals including Albany Med's. In addition to the Halloween party, Spirit Halloween also supports the Child Life program at Albany Med with the goal of helping children year round."
Technically yes, I shouldn't have called it a charity. But it's a major donor, in the millions of dollars, to the "Spirit of Children" charity found at many hospitals and not just Albany Med.
The merchandise may be "crap" to you and me, but the close association between "Spirit of Children" and "Spirit Halloween" argues strongly for the preservation of civil society which individuals like yourself probably wish to replace with some function of government.
But my main point was that the old Shop-Rite is currently being used.
And that intersection will be busier now that Aldi (it is not a plural!) will be opening there. Then, in 20 years when all the hurdles and appeals from Greenport and others that want nothing to do with the truck route are finished, there will be all sorts of enormous trucks turning there, on and off Healy. Oh, you think it's bad now? You ain't seen nothing yet.
For that housing complex, triple paned windows to block the noise - oh right, how likely is that! Screening out Healy with a densely planted park and a block wall - ok, dreaming. Greenport, what ails you! I think we know.
My memory may be faulty, but didn't McDonalds move to that spot in the '80s? During the 70s it was where the schismatic Catholic shrine Our Lady of Mount Carmel is now.
I have heard from another reader that the building was erected in 1980. My point in calling it "vintage 1970s" was that the formula McDonalds design of that building was from the 1970s.
So “they” tore down the old McDonalds, not to mention the sweet old house back there, so that “they” could build a NEW McDonalds and a new Aldi’s, so that the current Aldis could go vacant. Fairview is such a
ReplyDeletehot mess.
Also, the old Shoprite is vacant and right across the street. Why could that not have been refurbished for Aldi's and the old house saved?
DeleteRegarding the old ShopRite building, this is what I have heard. It comes from a reliable source, but I have not vetted the information.
DeleteThere is some agreement with Wakefern, the parent company of ShopRite, that the building will not be used for a supermarket, lest there be competition for the existing ShopRite store now located in what had been a PriceChopper store.
Also, the reuse of ShopRite as Aldi's was mentioned at the many Greenport Planning Board meetings about this project, and TRG, the owner of the first two malls going out Fairview and the group creating the new "retail center," maintained that Aldi didn't want to move into an old building. They wanted a new building. I find this need to rebuild and replace every few decades, which apparently is part of the business plan of many chain stores, remarkably wasteful and disturbing.
Thanks. The issue re competition makes sense.
DeleteAgree re rebuilding and replacing.
Margaret
This is an on-going old issue - for instance back before the 'new' mall - Widewaters, where Kohl's is. This was protested too, a new big Walmart was built leaving the old one vacant in the old Price Chopper mall where
DeleteShoprite is. All to no avail. The 'malls' go further out - there are more empty buildings and more tarmac. More traffic and congestion.
More lighting, more energy consumption.
I dread driving down Fairview on an occasional trip to whatever task needs doing like this weekend. Kinda ugly, depressing, unfriendly. Loaded with the most redundant chains found across anywhere suburban USA in a hodgepodge mess. And forget about it if there's an obstruction. Why oh why can't something constructive be done with the old ShopRite like charming (did I say charming!?) housing for the middle class. Market rate apartments perhaps something as unique for this town as condos or co-ops. Wouldn't that be refreshing! At least the residents would have easy access to the chain stores and Hudson as an alternative. Whoever runs Greenport has a lot to be desired. Redevelopment of ShopRite is an opportunity to transform into something with vision providing a shot in the arm. Not betting on it. At least the old Macdonald's was torn down rather than left to rot adding to the the multitude of eyesores we already have. And yes, why couldn't the old ShopRite site been developed for the Aldi complex saving the house?! Dysfunction is the norm around here! Oh dear, why! Thanks for the update Carole!
ReplyDeleteYes, the old ShopRite property would be a perfect location for mixed apartments and retail. Would put those residents close to food, pharmacy, bank and retail shopping and use of the bus service.
DeleteUntil November 4th, the old Shop-Rite is housing a children's charity for Albany Med called "Spirit Halloween." The entire space is filled to the brim with Halloween merchandise. It broke my heart to see no one in there.
DeleteFrom the Albany Med website:
"Each year at Halloween time, Spirit Halloween stores bring the season to the Children's Hospital at Albany Med. As part of a huge party, dozens of costumes are provided for the children. Volunteers help with decorations, crafts and games all to create a fun and festive atmosphere.
"The program, now in its 7th year, focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families. Since its beginning, Spirit Halloween, its employees and customers have donated more than $11 million in cash and merchandise to Children's Hospitals including Albany Med's. In addition to the Halloween party, Spirit Halloween also supports the Child Life program at Albany Med with the goal of helping children year round."
https://www.amc.edu/foundation/Donor_Stories/Spirit_Halloween_video.cfm
Um…..Spirit Halloween is not a charity, it is just a common seasonal pop up chain that sells costumes and Halloween crap.
DeleteTechnically yes, I shouldn't have called it a charity. But it's a major donor, in the millions of dollars, to the "Spirit of Children" charity found at many hospitals and not just Albany Med.
DeleteThe merchandise may be "crap" to you and me, but the close association between "Spirit of Children" and "Spirit Halloween" argues strongly for the preservation of civil society which individuals like yourself probably wish to replace with some function of government.
But my main point was that the old Shop-Rite is currently being used.
And that intersection will be busier now that Aldi (it is not a plural!) will be opening there. Then, in 20 years when all the hurdles and appeals from Greenport and others that want nothing to do with the truck route are finished, there will be all sorts of enormous trucks turning there, on and off Healy. Oh, you think it's bad now? You ain't seen nothing yet.
ReplyDeleteFor that housing complex, triple paned windows to block the noise - oh right, how likely is that!
ReplyDeleteScreening out Healy with a densely planted park and a block wall - ok, dreaming. Greenport, what ails you! I think we know.
My memory may be faulty, but didn't McDonalds move to that spot in the '80s? During the 70s it was where the schismatic Catholic shrine Our Lady of Mount Carmel is now.
ReplyDeleteI have heard from another reader that the building was erected in 1980. My point in calling it "vintage 1970s" was that the formula McDonalds design of that building was from the 1970s.
Delete