This must be a joke. Another pharmacy?

We have a lot of sick people in Teaneck........ ;)

Thats too bad. We need more places to eat. Louie's is good and the Steakhouse across the street has been closed for a while. I do not keep KOsher but that plcae was good and more "up scale"

What we need are stores that attract foot traffic not just drug stores, banks and nail salons. Those do not attract people to walk, eat, shop in teaneck.

It's so often that I'm standing at the corner on Cedar Lane by the gas station looking for health and beauty aids and I'm just unwilling to cross over to either J&J or CVS. Just what the pharmacist ordered! With competition like this, prescription medicines costs will be driven down to nothing in no time. And if the application is in front of the Board of Adjustment why the apparent secrecy here and in the article in today's Record as to who the applicant is?

Do Red tape mean anything to you Alan?

The town should approve it..... before they withdraw their application.......
who would want to come into Teaneck....... when a simple application to open a business draws so much opposition.......

Boy oh boy... we are such a anti-business town.... my God.....

How many pharmacies are ALREADY on Cedar Lane, let alone Teaneck? Almost as many as houses of worship? Does that say anything about staying healthy in Teaneck?

I agree that the town does not seem to be friendly to small biz owners. And boy, Cedar Lane seems to be turning into a ghost town. Too many businesses are closed on Saturday for the Sabbath; then, too many businesses are closed on Sunday because of the Blue Laws. Mix in the places that have gone out of business recently -- Louie's, the movie theater, Blast Cafe, etc. -- and Cedar Lane risks becoming a forlorn district. I really wish Teaneck leaders would do more to attract and nurture interesting, novel businesses to our town. We need a variety of businesses. No, we don't need another bank, nail salon or chain pharmacy. We can use more eateries, gift shops, clothing stores...how about a grocery store, a hardware store, a (non-Kosher) deli? We need vibrant variety in the biz district and I so wish the town would do something productive and goal-oriented here.

Walgreen is replaces those stores! SHAME on Teaneck to allow this! This will make the smaller pharmacy's go out of business.

Are we sure it's not a bank?

CALL STARBUCKS QUICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not like the area needs another Walgreen's, either.

Why will there be no zoning board review till February or March? Whether the pharmacy is a good or bad idea, I'm disturbed by the glacial pace of our town beurocracy.

On restaurants, Cedar Lane is NOT just Kosher food. It's also Cuban food, Indian food, Irish food, Chinese and Japanese food, Italian food plus two dessert shops. Cedar Lane is actually an open air Food Court!! Let's have more outdoor dining on the Lane. Block off some parking spaces with planters, set up tables, chairs, awnings. Share equipment to save costs. Friday nights for non-Kosher. Saturday night for Kosher. Sunday afternoon and evening for everybody. How about it Cedar Lane restaurant owners? Celebrate national holidays jointly - Chinese New Year, Frank Sinatra's Birthday, Israeli Independance Day. After a nice meal, everyone who cares to strolls over to the Farmer's Market parking lot for an appropriate public event. Maybe a live performance, an outdoor movie, a discussion of the events of day? Outdoor dining on Cedar Lane every weekend the weather allows. What do you think, Patch readers?

Art i applaud your efforts however we need to solve our problems in Teaneck business districts before holding such events. We need stores/development that will attract foot traffic... not CVS or Walgreens. Who would come to Teaneck with the stores we have now?? I wish they would but we must focus on proper development first. High rises, condos, to encourage young families and others to live and shop near Cedar Lane.

James: Thanks for the applause. We can do both. The Council, over the years, has proven itself . . . inept. For Cedar Lane, they've spent decades (and millions) to get us where we are today. If you were on the Planning Board previously with the ideas you have now, I fear you would not have been reappointed. They no longer have my confidence and their time in power is running out.
Wait, there's more. Get the County legislators and planners involved. Cedar Lane is a county road. Also NJTransit (to finally get those bus shelters). They will have experience and ideas from the other communities in NJ. Get Senator Weinberg involved. Her staff office is across from the CVS store. Get residents genuinely involved. Last time, residents were pushed aside by the then Council and Manager. In my view, the current Council, especially the long time incumbents, have had their chance. Like baseball players after several seasons, they have proven they can't run, they can't hit, and they don't score. Its time to let their contracts expire and bring in some new talent.

Art, I love your idea. We need to spruce up Cedar Lane to make it a true community "hub." It can be modern, of course, but with an "old-time" feel to encourage strolling, walking, browsing and of course shopping. I know that this district was recently "improved" but there's still something sterile-looking about it. And the other biz districts, especially the one near Votee park, can also use a modest "face-lift." That particular district is hideous looking. First and foremost, though, Teaneck leaders need to minimize the bureaucracy besetting would-be retailers and figure out a way to put out the welcome mat so entrepreneurial, small-biz retailers will want to set up shop here.

Teaneck should have its own "Small Business" celebrations that way Amex and Optimum do on a national scale. And you know, I'd be fine with a national chain to help "anchor" the district, but another pharmacy? Really? We don't have enough of these cluttering our town? Won't they cannibalize business from each other, not to mention further contribute to the commercial homogenization of our town? Believe it or not, I'd be fine with a Starbucks as long as it doesn't take away biz from Bischoff's etc. Or how about an independent pharmacy? I've never understood why Teaneck seems to set up barriers to entrepreneurial progress and prowess. In this economy, they should be banging on doors to get folks to open their businesses here. And we need a vital, vibrant mix of them, not the same old, same old cookie cutter stuff. No more banks, no more chain pharmacies and please, we don't need another nail salon.

Why has the Council been so intransigently bureaucratic why it comes to small businesses? Or is it just my perception, perhaps an unfair one, forged by a few complaints I've heard over the years from small biz owners? I can understand the need for rules and regs, but making the lives difficult for small biz owners who want to serve the community and make a living at the same time is counter-productive and frustrating. I really hope Louie's is not taken over by Walgreens. It's not needed on Cedar Lane -- not with two CVS'! I'd so love it if another diner or coffee shop would open there. It's set up for a restaurant -- let's get another one in there!

Man oh man... there we go... the solution to every problem here is to spend more tax money........ this town is seriously sick... it needs more pharmacies (joking)....

I say let Walgreem or whoever wants to come in come in.... it is better for the town. I really don't understand why people say walgreen is NOT going to generate foot traffic..... Do people fly into walgreens?

Teaneck is business unfriendly..... PERIOD..... this is why Cedar lane has become what it is....... empty ... old... ugly..... a non-desirable place to even pass through.....

Teaneck would rather spend millions for a municipal building because everyone loves to go to the municipal building NOT. Why not spend that money bringing up cedar lane for the community.

What about a Marijuana dispensary I hear they do quiet well. And it will for sure bring foot traffic. Plus pot heads are hungry so more business for all the restaurants.

Jacob: I have a different view. In my experience, the Township has gotten what it wanted with the Teaneck Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) and various Cedar Lane groups. Residents opposed closing Chestnut Ave. It was closed. Others (including me) opposed bus stop bump outs. Buses at bump outs block traffic. That causes unnecessary delays and hornblowing - a nuisance. Even worse, the Township picked the sidewalk contractor who provided a very disappointing product. Cedar Lane needs some low or midrise housing. Such housing was just proposed for State St./Queen Anne Rd. Let's see what happens there.

Who cares where town employees live??? you think that has anything to do with Cedar Lane being a dump? Please. These petty political debates are exactly why Teaneck cannot solve any real problems... because people are always bickering and suing. Then that goes on the news and we all look like fools. Did you know everyone laughs at Teaneck around Bergen County because of all the negative headlines and silly fights?? Petty petty stuff people. And also: State Law requires council members to live in the town they are elected. The town has lots of problems but where employees live is not the issue. Please focus on the real problems which i do blame the council for which is poor economic development, not marketing cedar lane and not bringing in developers for higher end housuing for young professionals.

Shimon: Montclair has a dispensary and has a great downtown. Maybe thats the secret! LOL

It would be nice if the persons who worked for the town lived in town, sure, but I don't think it's a critical need. We do need a variety of small businesses to make the town interesting and a destination for shopping and browsing ... at least among its residents. If we're going to have to court national retailers, then mix it up there too. We have two CVS' and a Walgreens already in Teaneck. Why another Walgreens? Won't they eat into each other's profits? How many bottles of aspirin do we need (smile)? Bring in Starbucks or another franchise -- something the town doesn't have. I hope the movie theater doesn't stay fallow long. What a waste of space and how sad that it went under. I wish that space could be cultivated, if not for another movie theater, then some sort of arts community hub. I see poor Cedar Lane turning into a ghost town.

No more drug stores please! Starbucks would be GREAT!! Encourages people to come in, relax, maybe go for a walk.

I hate the idea of another drug store. We also need to consider if we wree successful in bringing more diverse businesses to the area, where would we put the cars. We have inadequate parking now and increased volume would clog up the side residential streets. Do we need to look at this area more as a mixed use area, perhaps some park space to increase pedestrian numbers?

I SUGGEST ALL THOSE WITH THE BIG IDEAS PUT THERE $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ WHERE THERE MOUTHS ARE AN OPEN A BUSINESS

I miscounted ... three CVS and a Walgreens, correct? Isn't there also a Rite Aid on Queen Anne Road? Regardless, we certainly don't need another chain pharmacy. If Walgreens were to open where Louie's used to be, isn't the CVS right on the next block? I agree that we have to consider parking issues, of course. And I'd love to open a business if I had something I wished to sell (smile). One needs a true can-do, entrepreneurial spirit to attempt such a thing in these still-tough times...not to mention the support of the community, including its leaders. I patronize the businesses in my community but I do comparison shop for value. We need another decent supermarket offering value and variety ... it's too bad Acme's closed years ago...

I was just needling you about the number of CVS stores in town. I refuse to call them pharmacies. The Rite Aid is gone sniff, sniff. For a while we had two Walgreens and, yes, one on Cedar Lane. J&J delivers and provides great service. They greet me by name there. I cannot say the same of CVS or Walgreens.
And, no, I'm not an employee of nor do I have a business interest with J&J.

I too question the policy of providing a car/travel expenses for the Manager. It is his choice where he lives and he is already the highest paid municipal employee. If he prefers a 135 mile daily commute, it is (truly) his business. However, the Council decided it should be our business. (Note: it costs about $1,000 a month.) I do appreciate the Manager's service to Teaneck but the Township shouldn't subsidize long distance commuting for anybody.
Also, is there any link between the Manager's long commute and our shortened Town Hall work year of only 185 days when other towns have 235 days of service? That would be a good one for the Council to answer.

@Art, You might want to check if the manager is actually the highest paid employee. I think not.

Maybe he should be.

Shame on Teaneck council.

Teaneck council is directly responsible for the turmoil that we call Teaneck..... Why in the hell they agree to provide tax money for the manager's commute? I say he should move nearby or better in the town he is managing... or pay for his own commute..... If coming to town quickly is important he should live at a walking distance.... the solution is not to provide tax money for his commute? I want to know how much it costs us a month?

How is a tax payer's provided car is better than his own car? with his salary he can definitely buy and maintain a dependable car..... I want the council to explain to the tax payers how a tax payer sponsored car is more dependable and faster than the one owned by Mr. manager?

This is a shame..... The council should immediately take away this privilege. Why was it not put to vote?

What else is our tax money paying for? I wonder?

If anyone knows the answers to these questions, please post them.

I would also be interested in knowing which Councilmembers voted for and against the Manager's package.

Another pharmacy....sigh!

Have any of you patronized the Teaneck Marketplace, a great coffee shop and gift store-or the new accessories place next to it, or the new stationary store? These businesses are trying, people, let's help them give them a boost. Stay out of the mall and buy some gifts locally.

Teaneck is known for CVS, Oradell has banks and Wallington is known for bars. At least River Edge has Total Wine AND a forthcoming Walgreens, banks, bagels and nail salons. State Law mandates that a nail salon must be within 200 feet of a bagel
store or Chinese restaurant!

Carrying over from another thread, maybe we should just make Louie's a parking lot for all the free vehicles we are giving to town employees.

@Lisa Dee: No, we will not be paying the taxes on those properties. The owners of those properties pay the tax.

John where do you live, religous based do not pay taxes if they buy theater.

Lisa, you made a very broad comment about Teaneckers paying taxes for these properties. If you were talking about the theater you did not specify It was a religious based group.
The owners of the Louie's property are still paying taxes as are the owners of the old Davis store.

John, A group called Chabad approached all the property owners they want the corner if Walgreens deal does not happen for a school,and the theater for holiday services. I guess our town will be Monsey South. Does anybody understand why we
keep losing businesses,other towns have turnover but new businesses come in.

John,
Of course they do not know, Why would Louies representative tell anyone at this point. Only the property owners have the offers,
they picked to go with Walgreens first because its retail and would benefit Cedar Lane. I was waiting in B. Dinelli i heard the man on his cell speaking to Louies family
not to worry Walgreens is a great fit and only if town votes it down, we still have a very substantial offer from Chabad. I heard him say its a 4 story 9,000 sq ft school.
I don't know who it was but he did ask the salon do you want a Walgreens or a Judaica Plaza? They all laughed, and said what do you think? This was at least 6 weeks ago.

Thanks for sharing.

You all are talking to yourselves...no one cares about your needs or concerns. Walgreens will be there if they want to be. If anyone really cared about the small business owners you all would RALLY instead of belly-ache and bullsh*t online! c'mon!

We will have a much nicer corner now,surely better than a neglected gas station and run down Louies building. My concern now is the rest of street is going to show how neglected it really is when a new beautiful corner emerges. What programs are in place to help those landlords because the tenants are not commited. Most business owners are for the most part trying to figure when to leave and what town to re-open in. They are taking the lead from Dino from Louies Charcoal who is working on a new restaurant surely not in Teaneck. I spoke to owner of Shellys and Noahs Ark he is month to month thats scarey with so many businesses getting ready to flee town. The only two i could pin down that had a lease and was staying, Veggie Heaven and dollar store. When is the council going to add a parking garage like englewood.