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Sunday, April 6, 2008

Strip Mall Sunday

I received some interesting news this morning while sitting in church. It was announced from the pulpit that at long last, it seems like there could be a tenant in the former Pryor's Pharmacy/The Record Collector storefront at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Bridge under the watchful gaze of Robert Morris himself.

The only problem is that it seems that the proposed tenant is apparently a less than G-Rated adult facility. The exact nature of the business that would be going in there was not disclosed. What was disclosed was that the zoning board would be entertaining a variance request at their meeting tomorrow, Monday evening, at 7:30 P.M.

If there is anyone who has more specific or better information, would you please share it with all of us?

We can argue about a great number of things, but I really do not think any of the respectable citizens here in the borough would want an adult oriented facility right at our main intersection. Please, show up for the meeting Monday evening, or call the borough directly at 215-295-8181 to register your opposition.

7 comments:

Jon said...

I'm considering going out on a limb and supporting this venture, which apparently includes a French-themed burlesque parlor.

Call me a visionary, but with the smoke shops, fireworks store, nail salons, Hairgazm beauty parlor, Sugar & Spice Strip Club, and the proposed burlesque parlor all in close proximity, I see a lively "Avenue of the Tarts" district rapidly shaping up. Can we make it happen? Yes we Can-Can!

George said...

Hi all,

The meeting is off! Last month, the primary investor approached the MEDC at our regular meeting and asked for an endorcement for his project in the old Stockham building which included a French bistro/bakery on the ground floor, a burlesque show/adult entertainment on the second, a work out area/gym on the third-fourth floors. The EDC told him their was no way we could ever endorse such a plan as long as it entailed the adult entertainment aspect of the project. It's too bad because up until the point of introducing the stripping/entertainment aspect of the idea, it sounded good. He couldn't seem to understand why the town would permit Sugar N' Spice less than 1000' from his proposed establishment. We explained that his plans put him in our downtown business district along with the primary crossing route for all of the school-aged children walking from the south end of town. We need viable businesses but we too have our limits. The businesses must be in good for the people of the borough and conform with our desired plans for the development of the area. The borough found out late this week that the primary investor, Marc took his own life and that the variance meeting is no longer necessary.

I hope this relives most peoples anxiety over this project and that as bad of an idea it was to have the adult entertainment aspect of the project for our borough, that we take a minute and pray for Marc.

Thanks,

-George

Save The School said...

Thank you George. I know I appreciate the clarification about the zoning and development portions of the story. I also hope Marc and his family can find a measure of peace and comfort in their time of grief.

Peter said...

Thanks George.

Jon said...

That's no laughing matter. I apologize for the tongue-in-cheek post.

I hope someone with solid financing and a sound business plan comes forward soon for that building. I know I sometimes fall back on humor and sarcasm out of frustration over the lack of tangible progress on revitalizing downtown and the "can't do" spirit that tends to pervade the town.

George, your heart and head are in the right place. Council needs a few more like you.

George said...

Hello,

I wanted to first start off by saying that all of us, including myself made comments about the applicants idea and that it is human nature to do so. Do not feel bad! It was a radical idea that does not conform to the ideology and nature of the Morrisville Borough community and we had a right to our opinion to state so and it opened itself up for criticism. Marc understood this in our meeting. He acted professionally and anticipated resistance. He also wanted to introduce a comedy cabaret and He at one time stated that "If you laugh at the world it will laugh right back." To be honest, I may not have agreed with him or hid idea, but I liked him. He had a passion for his business and I think he would have succeeded without the burlesque part of the proposal. It's too bad we will never find out if his restaurant/bakery concept would have worked without all of the dressing (or undressing).

I have found out this morning that tonight's scheduled meeting is still on because their is more than one applicant on the docket to speak on other business matters that do not pertain to the Stockham building plans for the restaurant. We have not heard back from any representatives from the first applicants petitioner, namely Marc's attorney or his minority partners yet. This does not mean they are still planning to go forward with the plans for the restaurant, it just means that the borough by law advertised for the meeting and that his attorney has not contacted us yet to cancel their portion of the advertised meeting, which in this case is a formality since the main applicant and architect of the idea is deceased. Their is always the slight chance that someone could step-in and represent the petitioner in this matter, but given the circumstances and timing of his death, it does not appear to us that this will happen, at least not today. If it does, we will be certain to let everyone interested know.

I hope this clears up any confusion I may have caused by stating the meeting is cancelled which in fact I found out it is still on for tonight.

Sorry for the confusion.

-George

Save The School said...

Thanks, George. And I agree with Jon. Council DOES need a few more like you.