Gap Closes NewPark Mall Location

riottgirl January 29, 2013 at 05:26 pm

A year ago, I would have suggested Whole Foods. But I still will suggest even a Trader Joe's (1 Trader Joe's for the entire Tri-City?).
At this point, Fremont and Union City committed to their retail development plans years ago, and those plans clearly have been the death-bell for Newark retail. Newark will go back to being a bedroom-community where the residents spend their money in neighboring cities. That's the future. And that is a direct fault of our lovely City Leaders. Say bye-bye to sales tax revenue.

Kirsten January 29, 2013 at 06:02 pm

If they do want a change, and to tear down the mall, I would suggest Bass Pro Shops. It's big, it draws people from other communities, since there aren't very many of them. That would boost the other retail around our area by bringing in outsiders. Right here in the bay area would be a perfect location.

Kirsten January 29, 2013 at 06:04 pm

Newark (and Fremont/Union City) supported a mall for 32 years. The potential is there, but you need a draw. Without a revamp, we're doomed. But without the money that needs to be spent to get a revamp we're doomed.

William B Wood January 29, 2013 at 06:07 pm

Ideas? Sure. Good? Not so sure.
1.) Why not contact the Oakland Athletics? See if they would consider moving south. Maybe the malls owner(s) would convert the mall into a stadium if they had a steady tenant. 2.) An education system better than either Fremont or Union City. We concentrate our efforts there and people will flock to Newark to get whats best for their spawn. WBW

William B Wood January 29, 2013 at 06:13 pm

K,
My neighbors house is losing value, because it is not maintained or improved. How/why is it my/OUR responsibility to attend to its upkeeep and maintenance? WBW

Timothy Swenson January 29, 2013 at 06:14 pm

A number of times I've tried to purchase things locally, but no local retailer carried what I wanted, so I had to purchase online. I have this problem with camera equipment, music CD's, books, etc. Even when I do find what I want the selection is very limited.

noah arribas January 29, 2013 at 06:16 pm

Trader Joe's isn't opening a new location. The current location in Fremont will probably have half the sales it once did a couple years back once Whole Foods and Sprouts are in full bloom.

riottgirl January 29, 2013 at 06:19 pm

With Whole Foods opening less than a mile from Trader Joe's expect Trader Joe's to relocate within the year.

Cletus January 29, 2013 at 07:12 pm

Newark Community Development Director Terrance Grindall wants to tear down the mall and build the world's largest wooden rollercoaster on the site. He'll get city council to approve funding for the project which will include a 3-mile long moat to surround the property. They'll fill the moat with alligators and moat monsters to keep people out. Al Nagy will patrol it on weekends while riding naked on a jet-ski.
Within the first year the price of an admission ticket will fall from $17.00 to 25 cents and Shirley Sisk will be named head of the Newpark Special Economic Zone riot police. A year later, Newark voters will approve a local tax increase to pay for the spectacle.

riottgirl January 29, 2013 at 07:16 pm

2 thumbs up!

riottgirl January 29, 2013 at 07:16 pm

Except, Newark voters will NOT tax themselves for the spectacle.

William B Wood January 29, 2013 at 08:22 pm

Ummm Cletus...,
Newark already has Turk Island (not the defunct land-fill site). Why would we want more of the same? @RiottGirl: Newark voters recently approved a utility tax that City Council (or was it the city manager?) can use as they see fit (read: "raise taxes") without voter approval. WBW

Barbara Scapelitte January 29, 2013 at 09:02 pm

Before Christmas, I went to the Sanrio store at the Mall 4 times, trying to get a 2013 Hello Kitty purse-size calendar, only to be told each time that none were in stock. I finally gave up & ordered it on line. Also, I used to go to the Mall frequently to use the B of A ATM machine & often made purchases at the same time. The ATM was replaced with one charging steep fees. I rarely go to the Mall for anything anymore. I blame merchants, bankers & others for this unfortunate situation.

Nick January 29, 2013 at 09:17 pm

25 cents for bank fee, 1.00 for freight, 4.00 for rent, 2.00 payroll........all on top of the cost and profit of the calendar, that they don't carry.

James Nelson January 29, 2013 at 10:48 pm

The only time I ever go to Newpark is when there's something to Film such as NPD Dealing with a Wife Beater in the Parking Lot but even those number of Incidents have dwindled there. Petty Theft just doesn't do it for me!
It seems like the only people who go there anymore are the Robbers and Thieves (Reference NPD's NIXLE). As someone whom does all my Shopping Online I currently spend about 80% of my Online Purchases on Products / Services in the New York State area. Hell even my Webhost is in New York! LOL I would love to Spend my Money in my Hometown but I don't do any of the Stores that are currently here, I would shop ONLINE from these Local Stores, however the Powers that be don't seem to care about offering Online Shopping. If there is ONE Store in Town that I would do, it's Safeway, but only for the Dutch Crunch and Yoohoo! LOL

Andrew Limtiaco January 30, 2013 at 01:28 pm

Way too funny! True (Yes, sad), but funny.

W. E. SPICER January 30, 2013 at 02:12 pm

Newark Community Development Director Terrance Grindall is spending all of Newark Resources on developing Wetlands (area4). They have ignored retail in Newark for to long, now it is to late. I blame the citizens of Newark for gross Apathy, there lack of interest in or concern.. It is sad. Why do you think Newak Politicians have there election on off years, that is because no one shows up to vote except there friends and supporters, check the % of Newark voters that voted last local election. There is part of the problem.

Bong Sativa January 30, 2013 at 03:01 pm

The closure of businesses at New Park Mall are a direct result of the "Boycott Newark" campaign by disgruntled medical marijuana patients seeking revenge for the cities unwarranted & illegal stance on medical marijuana dispensaries ! I for one do all my shopping elsewhere & New Park Mall will likely close before our elected leaders remove their heads from their asses & are forced to comply with state law ! Remember there's nothing for sale in Newark that you can't buy in a more enlightened city like San Jose,Oakland or San Francisco & if we can cut the cities sales tax revenue enough laid off police officers can't raid the providers of our medication ! It's these businesses & the Chamber of Commerce who bankroll the campaigns of these self-righteous simpletons,co-conspirators in the effort to deny "safe & legal access" to medical marijuana in defiance of state law ! Over 70% of California voters support the medical use of marijuana & 55% of Alameda County voters favored legalizing marijuana in 2010 ! Our Congressman & Assemblyman are outspoken advocates of medical & legalized marijuana,isn't it about time that the Newark City Council concede defeat & yield to the will of their constituents ? Don't hold your breath (unless you just took a big rip off your bong) these clueless & callous cretins will continue to put their personal feelings before the law they took an oath to uphold & the health & well being of their neighbors ! We reserve the right to refuse to shop in Newark !!

Roger January 31, 2013 at 12:08 am

No one has mentioned the economic impact of roughly 4-5,000 red light camera tickets issued at intersections near NewPark Mall. Roughly $2,000,000 in fines each year. These tickets are issued to visitors to NewPark Mall for the most part. Many of those cited have told me - they will NEVER shop Newark again. Now about 90% of these nearly $500 tickets are for right-turners. These citations hardly EVER show any risk of injury or collision with pedestrians or motorists. Newark has never produced any evidence of a safety issue at these intersection relative to right turners. This clearly is a money-grab. Newark only receives about $100- $120 for every $500 citation issued. From this sum, $285,000 is sent to Arizona Camera Company, Redflex. To sum up, about 20% of the $480 fine stays in Newark. The rest goes to Redflex, State and County government. Meanwhile, 4,000 otherwise good drivers who break the law but do not cause any significant safety hazard are being hammered. If Newark wants to attract shoppers they should at the very least put huge caution signs up that proudly boast that this city is the RIGHT ON RED camera ticket capital of California.

Albert Rubio January 31, 2013 at 03:17 am

>Newark is a victim of part time, amauter Politicians.
I hope the answer implied is not to have full time nor "professional" politicians.

Albert Rubio January 31, 2013 at 03:47 am

No one needs to be blamed for the store's closing.
online shopping is not a bad thing. The key is for the state/city not to burden businesses.

Albert Rubio January 31, 2013 at 03:51 am

The planning department should be abolished. What we need is Entrepreneurs.

Albert Rubio January 31, 2013 at 03:59 am

Wow, Who knew?

Jack Turner January 31, 2013 at 12:56 pm

Fully agree with Roger. The city should stop giving its money to Redflex which is really an Australian company. Noticed recently that the FAQ page on the Newark PD website for photo enforcement has been removed. I wonder if they're getting ready to make an announcement about changes to the program in regards to Senator Simitian's SB1303 that went into effect this month.

Guns January 31, 2013 at 03:49 pm

You don't sound like you need cannabis, more like prozac. Take your anger elsewhere and leave the community to its devices. This is a family community with great people; kids can play on the steets and neighbors can visit each other and barbeque together on weekends. If you need to drug yourself to feel better, do it elsewhere, it's your right.

Roger January 31, 2013 at 10:16 pm

Jack. Very perceptive. Let's see if the FAQ page gets an update. You should join the local protest group>
http://www.meetup.com/Red-Light-Camera-Protest-Group-of-Southern-Alameda-County/

Christen February 1, 2013 at 06:21 am

I'm not surprised, Newpark has turned into even more of a dump than it was last year. I typically avoid this mall like the plague, but had to make a quick trip in to pick something up. I was in and out within 30 minutes and came out to find my car window smashed and an OLD iPod stolen. My alarm was set, and it's obvious that it has an alarm the moment you touch it. I was parked right outside of Red Robin, fairly close to the mall, and between two cars (not trucks) during a busy Saturday afternoon. Totally brazen, and very shocking. I will never go to this mall again, it's just trashy.

Barney Google February 1, 2013 at 10:34 am

The timers are set to quick and the city knows it. Fremont had some cameras set to quick and adjusted them, they lost $30,000 on one camera alone. I believe Newark
won't and don't care about the tickets or the Mall.

John February 3, 2013 at 02:33 pm

yeah, this place is starting to crumble. there is a sports shop that will negotiate price on merchandise. what kind of store is that. what store negoitate prices!, c mon. new park mall needs to revamp its exterior and interior. Seen tons of cracks and chipped paint, also time for a new modern tile floor. make the place extrvagant. Keep the consumers (the working class) coming and happy. We are in a age of changes and new.

Lisa Gaines February 3, 2013 at 04:49 pm

But people didn't shop at Newpark, because the store offerings were not what people wanted. In all truth, the downturn started when the Target moved to Fremont Hub. I used to shop Newpark all the time, but my husband, who hates to shop always went to Stoneridge, and then when I realized Stoneridge is only 15 minutes away, I preferred their store offerings to Newpark.
The mall just needs to be revamped and reinvented. Someone can do it. It's just a matter of who's willing?