New Businesses Coming To Westfield In 2019

Patch
Mayor Shelley Brindle says the focus will be on the long term.

WESTFIELD, NJ - Downtown Westfield will look very different in a few months as more businesses are slated to open in 2019. Mayor Shelley Brindle said at the meeting of the Mayor and Council Tuesday that the new additions are consistent with the push to improve the general business climate.

"I remain focused on the long-term, which includes improving the general business climate that will enable businesses to succeed, whether it’s creating events like AddamsFest and Second Sundays to drive foot traffic, to passing ordinances that enable new experiences like rooftop dining," Brindle said. "Or to reducing the bureaucracy of opening a business by granting more latitude to our zoning official to avoid unnecessary Board of Adjustment applications and expense for aspiring business owners."

Brindle also listed businesses that will be joining Warby Parker in downtown Westfield in the near future:

Brindle said she did not buy into the narrative that rents are too high for businesses.

"I will resist any attempt to demonize the property owners who also happen to be significant taxpayers," Brindle said. "As a municipality, I believe we have a responsibility to adequately invest and innovate our downtown so that we can attract top tier tenants, which is what is beginning to happen with plenty more needing to be done."

Brindle also did not let the landlords off the hook completely.

"It’s also the responsibility of the landlords to adequately invest in their properties, and incumbent upon retailers to innovate and evolve to stay relevant in changing times," Brindle said. "It is a three way partnership and we all need to do our part. So resist the tendency to place blame or overreact when a store closes."

(Photo courtesy of Google Earth)

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