Six Doors Close, Five More Open

As the national economy begins to pick up steam, downtown Cranford is showing many of the same patterns that business districts across the country are experiencing - a consistent opening and closings of stores.

In 2011, five new businesses will open their doors in Cranford. But last year six closed their doors. In 2009, an additional five businesses shut down, among them Blockbuster, Drug Fair, A Touch of Home, La Flor Fine Art and JPR Wood Architects.

Kathleen Miller Prunty with the Cranford Downtown Management Corporation said the stores that closed did so for a variety of reasons.

Those stores included Bagel America, Kodi, Donna Toscana, City Grind Café and Ole Fire Grill. While some owners couldn't keep up with the bills, others decided it was simply a good time to retire or move on to another opportunity, according to Prunty.

For example, , the owner of Donna Toscana, decided to close her chocolate lounge in order to pursue an opportunity with a growing restaurant network. Her chocolates are now being sold at Whole Foods and Food Emporium.

Prunty said Cranford's downtown vacancy rate is four percent - far below the state average of 7.7 percent. She said some downtowns in New Jersey are facing 14-19% vacancy rates.

"Despite this economy and the difficulties, Cranford has been very fortunate," Prunty said.

Michael Ventura, the owner of the new Brooklyn Pizza on South Avenue, took over the space left vacant by Ole Fire Grill. It was less than a year ago that Ole Fire Grill celebrated its grand opening with a attended by Mayor Mark Smith.

Ventura said he doesn't know why Ole closed down but said he kept a lot of the construction done by the previous owners.

He said so far his business has been very busy and he feels confident that it will stay that way.

"I know my pizzas are good, the service is good," Ventura said.

Another new business enjoying success is Cheese ... Please, which opened in August. Owner Maria Tisdall was very busy during the holiday season, preparing cheese platters and gift baskets for local shoppers.

At the new Sally Duvall Organic Beauty store on N. Union Ave business has been slow so far, but owner Sally Duvall is hopeful that it will pick up.

Duvall sells organic cosmetics, skin care products, perfumes and candles. She had a similar store in Brooklyn eight years ago but decided to sell it when she had her second child. She recently moved to Cranford.

"I just want people to know I'm here," she said. "It's a fun, hip kind of space."

Pairings is one of the five new businesses opening this year. The restaurant, which is slated to open on February 12, will be located at Walnut and South in the downtown. The BYOB restaurant will feature food paired in a way that complement each other, such as filet mignon in a phyllo purse or pastas like Yukon gold gnocchi. Thus living up to the restaurant's full name - "Pairings. Palate + Plate."

Executive Chef Carol Murphy Clyne and her husband Vincent Clyne, known for their catering business Clyne & Murphy Catering based in Westfield, said they chose Cranford for a reason.

"We chose Cranford because it is a dynamic neighborhood of families and business professionals who appreciate unique fresh food choices paired with warm friendly service," Carol Clyne said.

Pairings will also offer cooking classes on Tuesday nights. The Clyne's will teach recipes from their cookbook, which is being published by the Culinary Institute of America next summer.

Other businesses opening this year include Ciao Amici on North Avenue, Green Sports NJ on North Union Avenue, Heartwood Restorations on Alden Street and Tea Spot on Miln Street.

Prunty said she thinks entrepreneurs are always going to be attracted to Cranford because of its geographical convenience and its reasonable rent rates.

"Cranford always has and always will be a place of the independent business owner," Prunty said.