IRVINGTON, NJ — Now that the old Pathmark store in the shopping plaza on Lyons Avenue has been replaced by the new SuperFresh supermarket, only the old Valley Fair mall site on Chancellor Avenue remains to be reopened to serve the needs of shoppers.
But Mayor Tony Vauss said the newly rebuilt and renovated old Valley Fair site on Chancellor Avenue continues to fulfill its responsibility, when it comes to its place on the Irvington tax rolls, despite the fact that the space has not reopened.
“They’re searching for particular anchor stores,” said Vauss on Monday, Oct. 3. “They have it about 60-percent rented. My advice to them would be to just open right now, but they want to wait until they’ve got it 100 percent rented out. Whatever they’re doing, they’re still paying their taxes. As long as they pay their taxes, what can I do?”
Vauss said he manages Irvington, not the businesses that do business in town. His sole responsibility, he said, is to do what’s right for the township, so as long as the owners of the old Valley Fair site pay their fair share, they’re not breaking any laws.
“They’re here to make money,” said Vauss. “Who am I to second guess millionaires that have been doing this for years? Whether they open or not, it’s still a win-win for the township. And now we can provide services for our residents and taxpayers on the other side of town, with the new supermarket on Lyons Avenue. SuperFresh was very important. We needed that shopping center because people need to eat.”
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