Plans To Transform Underperforming Burlington Mall

Over the next two to three months, officials in Burlington Township will be getting architectural and civil engineering drawings of what the new Marketplace at Burlington – formerly Burlington Center Mall – will look like, as well as a count of the traffic it is hoped it will generate.

By mid-spring of next year, owner Moonbeam Capital Investments L.L.C. of Las Vegas says, groundbreaking will begin to convert the underperforming mall into a must-see destination off Exit 47A of I-295 for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

If all goes as planned, the $230 million-plus phased conversion will also include manicured green spaces with benches and fountains that seamlessly tie a traditional mall with an open-air town center.

The full build-out is expected to take from two to three years and will be done in stages. The mall will stay open the entire time.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20150124_Plans_to_transform_underperforming_Burlington_mall.html#ryTRJvJqSdssWhue.99

Mountain Laurel Performing Arts Center Closing

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Pike County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A music venue touted as a “crown jewel” for the Poconos when it opened looks like it will observe its 10th anniversary this summer by again being shuttered, with no concerts scheduled.

Mountain Laurel Performing Arts Center in Lehman Township, Pike County, without fanfare broke ties with the second management agency it has had in two years and, for the third time in its history, has closed the venue, with few prospects for activity this summer.

The most recent manager, Christopher Perrotti of Rhode Island, confirmed in an email that he was let go in August. He said he believes that the center’s owners “have closed it down, which is not good for the venue’s future.”

A woman who answered the phone at O’Neill Properties Group of King of Prussia, Montgomery County, one of the center’s owners, referred questions to a spokesman who did not respond to a telephone message left for him.

Read more:  http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/mountain-laurel-performing-arts-center-closing-1.1464768

Governor Christie To Announce State Takeover Of Camden Schools

English: Camden, New Jersey is one of the poorest cities in the United States. Camden suffers from unemployment, urban decay, poverty, and many other social issues. Much of the city of Camden, New Jersey suffers from urban decay. 日本語: ニュージャージー州カムデンのスラム. Svenska: Camden, New Jersey is one of the poorest cities in the United States. Kiswahili: Camden, New Jersey ni moja ya mataifa maskini zaidi katika miji ya Marekani. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

TRENTON – Gov. Christie plans to announce Monday that he is taking the extraordinary step of putting the educational and fiscal management of the Camden School District under state control, The Inquirer has learned.

As part of the takeover of what the state considers the worst-performing district in New Jersey, Christie will appoint a new superintendent and leadership team, shifting the school board to an advisory role, according to Christie administration officials briefed on the plan.

The Republican governor’s move nonetheless has support from at least a few school board members and key Democratic leaders in the South Jersey political establishment, some of whom are expected to join Christie at the takeover announcement Monday in the city, officials said.

Camden will become the fourth urban district under state control, after Paterson, Newark, and Jersey City. This is the first takeover initiated by Christie, who will add the severely challenged district to his education portfolio less than eight months before his reelection bid.

Read more:  http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/nj/20130325_Christie_to_announce_state_takeover_of_Camden_schools.html

Two Fast Food Conglomerates Looking To Sell Off Divisions

Image via Wikipedia

Two major US fast food conglomerates are looking for ways to maximize profits.  Selling off several chains that do not fit into their long-range plans are being considered.

Yum Brands is looking for a buyer for their A&W and Long John Silver’s restaurant chains.  Yum Brands is concentrating on overseas development and neither Long John Silver’s or A&W have an international presence.  That would leave Yum Brands with KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, which all have international locations.  A&W and Long John Silver’s have a combined total of 1, 630 locations nationwide.

Wendy’s is looking to sell Arby’s so they can concentrate on Wendy’s development.  Wendy’s/Arby’s combined have over 10,000 restaurants.  Wendy’s is the larger chain with over 6,500 restaurants.  Arby’s is struggling because they tend to be more expensive than other fast food chains and offer less of a dollar menu.

Wendy’s/Arby’s is also the target for a potential takeover bid after receiving an inquiry to buy the chain in June of last year.

Limerick Acme To Close In February

Acme closed their Collegeville Shopping Center store and moved it to 31 W. Ridge Pike, next to the new Court At Upper Providence Shopping Center, a few years ago.  Now it would seem the “new store” is under performing due to competition from Giant, Target and Wegman’s and will close by the end of February.

With the departure of Acme from Ridge Pike, the closest Acme stores within a 20 mile radius of zip code 19468 are Phoenixville, Norristown, Lansdale and King of Prussia.

The Wayne Acme is also on the chopping block along with three stores in New Jersey and one in Maryland.

Another big empty building!  Ironically, the old store in Collegeville was doing much better!  Just proves the grass is not always greener!