0101, 2025

Downtown – Denville, New Jersey

Isaac Kremer/ January 1, 2025/ AI Assisted, beer, downtown, Economic, Field Notes, Physical, placemaking, preservation, public art, storefront, streetscape/ 0 comments

Luna Locks – New Jersey Fairy Hair Headquarters, is located at 3 Broadway. High-quality, long-lasting fairy hair (silken, sparkling hair tinsel extensions) tied onto individual strands of hair. Private one-on-one appointments, birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and mobile festival events. The Main Street Plaza commercial building is located at 5 East Main Street. Exterior storefront of Cafe Crevier, a modern bistro

1012, 2024

Placer Discover 2024 – Bringing Data to Where We Cannot Go

Isaac Kremer/ December 10, 2024/ Economic, Field Notes/ 0 comments

In a rapidly changing world, access to good quality data is crucial to guarantee the success of businesses and communities. Placer Discover is an annual gathering of industry experts from real estate, finance, downtown management, retail, and technology. The one-day event is held in New York City before the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Deal Show. From the opening

1311, 2024

Field Notes: When Closing Your Business Well Is The Last Option Left

Isaac Kremer/ November 13, 2024/ Economic, Field Notes, Physical, storefront/ 0 comments

It’s a startling fact that roughly half of small businesses close in the U.S. in the first two years and 75% in the first ten years. Add to that fact that when small businesses are facing the decision to close, fewer than 20% are sold so that the business can continue under new ownership. When a small business is unable

1710, 2024

Downtown – Montclair, New Jersey

Isaac Kremer/ October 17, 2024/ downtown, Field Notes, Physical, placemaking, public art, storefront/ 0 comments

The Lackawana Railroad terminal building has been creatively repurposed with a barbeque restaurant and bar. The Montclair Center BID is responsible for revitalization efforts in Montclair. The Montclair Historic Preservation Commission prepared these markers to help people familiarize themselves with historic properties in town. Large scale new development is relatively well integrated with the existing historic building stock. Note the

1410, 2024

Book Review – Key to the City

Isaac Kremer/ October 14, 2024/ Economic, Field Notes, Physical, preservation, Writing/ 0 comments

Today I had the great pleasure of hearing Sara C. Bronin give her views on zoning. Author of the recently published book “Key to the City,” she has a unique perspective of the many maladies caused by outdated zoning laws from the 1950s and 1960s with large lot zoning and auto dependent development. Her work is informed through efforts to

0409, 2024

Downtown – Rahway, New Jersey

Isaac Kremer/ September 4, 2024/ downtown, Field Notes, Physical, plaza, public art, Social, storefront, Writing/ 0 comments

This handsome station and plaza are a common sight for commuters. One needs to walk a few blocks away to see some exciting things happening. These way-finding signs offer an important amenity, especially for first time visitors. Given their significant size, a missed opportunity is to have something on the back blank side. Given the efforts to position Rahway as

2908, 2024

Downtown – Occoquan, Virginia

Isaac Kremer/ August 29, 2024/ downtown, Field Notes, garden, Physical, preservation, storefront, Writing/ 0 comments

This cast concrete block building on the edge of town makes use of this distinctive building material. Upon entering town this skinny vernacular cottage caught our attention for the detailed spindle work. The town of Occoquan originated in 1758 when John Ballentine built his home Rockledge. Grist mills, a foundry, and tobacco warehouses predominates. During the Civil War, Gen Wade

1708, 2024

Hoboken Walking Tour – Hoboken, New Jersey

Isaac Kremer/ August 17, 2024/ Field Notes, Physical, placemaking, preservation, storefront, streetscape, wayfinding/ 0 comments

From the train sheds it is a short walk into the station. Whereas other stations are functional, this one is attractive to bringing people in like kings and queens. Warrington Plaza recognizes the planner who helped to start the NJ Transit system with the Hoboken station as the first property. This bank with Roman Ionic pilasters and parapet with enrichment