AllAround - Pennsauken

Page 16 ALL AROUND PENNSAUKEN
September 2012
Westfield Avenue Embraces Diversity, Strives For Growth
By Albert Dadson, AAP Intern
It is a usual morning in Pennsauken.
n Westfield Avenue, the stores, busiesses,
and mini markets are getting
eady for their day. Add into the mix all
he different stores that cater to specific
thnic groups, these small businesses
re hard at work to build a vibrant and
onvenient main street that appeals to
he entire community.
A Wide And Diverse Avenue
Culture is one of the things you can
clearly see on Westfield Ave. Many of the
restaurants appeal to a specific clientele.
For example, restaurants, La Hacienda,
Nica and Bánh Mì Cafe, predominantly
have Nicaraguan, Mexican and
Vietnamese customers respectively. The
cultural appeal provides their main
source of income. It also helps to build
continuity between the customer and the
Washer & Dryers Refrigerators Dishwashers Gas & Electric Stoves
Dehumidifiers TV’s Microwaves All Small Appliances and much more!
store, creating a familiar and comfortable
atmosphere, where customers can get a
“taste of home.” This also provides an
opportunity for others not familiar with
the cultural cuisine, to try something different
without traveling too far for the
experience.
Looking To Grow
While Westfield is a flourishing business
district, home to places like
New Jersey’s OldestPublic Auto Auction
ALL INDOORS AND HEATED PROTECTION PLANS AVAILABLE
PENNSAUKEN & MERCHANTVILLE RESIDENT
Bring in this ad for
$100 OFF
BONUS SPECIAL Bring in your Proof of Residency
for an ADDITIONAL $100 OFF any car in stock
$50
WITH $2000 PURCHASE TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 15% OFF
H&R Exporter, LLC
New & Used Scratch and Dent Appliances
FEATURING A LARGE SELECTION OF BRAND NAME APPLIANCES
6305 South Crescent Blvd (Route 130) Pennsauken
856-324-2934
Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
For all your automotive needs
Whether Buying, Selling
or Just Browsing,
let US Auction help you!
SALE
REAL CARS REAL DEALS REAL PEOPLE
U.S. Auto Auction
6601 Route 130 South Pennsauken
856-662-AUTO
www.usauctionclub.com
Macaro’s Deli and Catering
that have been in town for
over 60 years, both businesses
and local organizations
are looking to help draw in
both additional stores and
customers.
Carlos Rodriguez, a local
architect and member of the
Delaware Gardens Steering
Com mittee, is working to help
improve the avenue as we
know it. The committee has
worked closely with local nonprofit
Urban Promise, in order
to develop a community neighborhood
plan for the sections of Pennsauken that
span from Browning Rd. to 36th St., and
Route 130 to River Rd. While the survey
and the recommendations are not binding,
it provides an intriguing vision to how
areas like Westfield Ave. can further development.
Rodriguez wants to see Westfield as,
“a vibrant central business district,” and
spoke of three specific strategies to help
spur on growth: restoring community
and cultural events; act as a catalyst in
supporting existing municipal economic
development activities, and re-establishing
the corridor’s image as “The Avenue.”
“I’d like to see ‘The Avenue’ brought
back as the central business district to
the Township, bringing back a nice
diversity of businesses that are missing
on the corridor.” Rodriguez suggested a
bakery like Bean’s Bakery, which used
to reside along Westfield Ave., and possibly
a hardware store.
Other ideas that are being considered
include a “Taste of Pennsauken”
event, highlighting the many different
food purveyors along the avenue, such
as Troy’s Place, Fabrizio Pizza,
Montegrillo Cucina Italiana, Bobby
Westfield Avenue, a vibrant and diverse business
district in Pennsauken looking for ways to grow.
Ray’s and Costa’s Food Market. A
community center was also on the wish
list, which could offer theatre, arts,
music, and dance, as a way to bring the
community together.
Rodriguez stated that many of these
ideas did not currently have a support
system or the funding in place to begin
these changes. Still, he hoped that the
ideas generated from the Delaware
Garden survey results would help spark
conversation among businesses and
community leaders to move the vision of
a Westfield Ave. business district forward.
And while the vision of Westfield’s
future is still being clarified, the Westfield
of today remains a great place for
businesses. Lan Chau, owner of the
newly opened Lan Pharmacy, says that
Westfield is a, “great neighborhood
for business.”
And as long as new businesses continue
to open their doors along
Westfield Ave., and community leaders
strive to improve the town they live and
work in, Pennsauken should continue to
thrive and grow in this flourishing
neighborhood.
Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor, helped
contribute to this article.
Tr oy’s Place
Italian Delicatessen
Catering for All Occasions
4919 WESTFIELD AVENUE
PENNSAUKEN
662-8650
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm
Sat 9am-6pm Sun 9am-3pm
OWNED & OPERATED BY TROY AND TONY