Like A Phoenix Rising From The Ashes

Even the sky is prettier!

(But, seriously Annette, there's an independently owned record / cd shop right on Midland. No need for what would probably be a faceless corporation to come in and try to drive the local guy out of business.)

It looks better than the textured stucco dump it replaced, however I'm not too crazy about the tinted windows.

The internet has already taken care of the music industry. Downloading is the primary way music is now purchased.

i was just by there actually, they aren't tinted, just very dark on the inside while the buildout takes place.

There's always the 2nd Saturday Record and CD show in Wayne every month.

Clear windows are a good thing...it assuages my fear that it would be occupied by a big box porn store.

eMusic is a great site. DRM-free and 75 downloads per month for $20.

There's no place in Montclair that qualifies as an "independently owned record / cd shop". Yes, there is a store on Midland that happens to sell some records and cds.

Montclair needs a record store. Not a faceless corporate nightmare of a record store. Not a half-assed attempt like on Midland.

Save us, Vintage Vinyl!

has anyone heard what is moving into olympic yet??

Maybe the "insiders" are keeping mum about who's going to be occupying this place because most of it still sits vacant. A simple search on the net finds that the building is owned by some guy named Plofker and that it is available for rent: phoenix

I like the picture on complainerpus's link. The skylights/roofline are much more attractive.

I wonder which one they're going to do?

By the way, the rent is listed at $40/sf. Is that a lot? How does it compare with the rental prices in the buildings by Urban Outfitters, for example?

The prospects of a music store that has to have an actual location and pay actual rent in 2008 are pretty slim. Somthing called "the internet" seems to have something to do with that.

The picture on complainerpuss' link is a rendering, the picture at the top of this page is an actual picture of the building i believe.

I'm not sure why complainerpuss has a link to a site that belies his snark. It looks like the building is 2/3's rented.

I agree that Montclair needs a music store. Hoboken has a good one on the main drag...Unfortunately, I forget the name.

"By the way, the rent is listed at $40/sf. Is that a lot? How does it compare with the rental prices in the buildings by Urban Outfitters, for example?"

Poke around the link provided above. They're asking $45/sf for street retail at the Wedgie Bldg. Other locations in town are asking somewhat less, but may be older spaces.

That loopnet link was last verified 4/28, so it's possible there may be tenants who have signed on.

I hear Palmer Video is coming back to give Montclair Video a little healthy competition.

"I'm not sure why complainerpuss has a link to a site that belies his snark. It looks like the building is 2/3's rented."

Sorry if I seemed overly snarky. I'm in no way a retail realty expert. I just assumed 2/3 rented means that one out of every three retail spaces in that building still remains empty. If I wasn't in retail, I guess that would concern me, but what do I know? Obviously not much, because I'm apparently one of the few who think indoor downhill skiing indoors at the Meadowland is just plain nuts.

I'm not sure as to the proposed completion date, but it seems they are on track for a project of this size. My observation had to do with your comment "because most of it still sits vacant". Based on what's available, it would seem that it is mostly occupied. I would guess it was something more personal than mathematical.
I think there was more potential for the site, but in this down turned economy, this is much better than what was there (assuming quality of the construction is good).
What do I know either; I only think indoor downhill slopes belong in desert countries.

Pokey:

What was the more potential? It was an existing building with a porn store in it last time i looked, now it appears to be retail in a much more attractive building.

The make over looks fine considering that the old version wasn't exactly Palazzo Borghese.

I hope its a nail salon/Asian-fusion restaurant/Bobbi Brown make-up annex.

It's definitely a lot better than what was there and works for that part of Bloomfield Ave. I'm just not a fan of all glass and thin pillars with an awning, I don't consider it inspired, just utilitarian; but Frankgg put it better.

The faux stonework at the base of each faux brick pillar would have worked best, aesthetically, had it been used continuosly along the base, instead of brick insets.