It looks like everything old is new again . . . the Duchess might be rising like a phoenix on the edge of Metuchen as the economy starts to shake up a little bit. Check out this sign on the door!
James Koukourdelis plans to renovate the Duchess with new carpets and wallpaint and reopen the Duchess Diner on
The 5.85-acre mixed-use development will include the first supermarket in town since the Stop & Shop closed. The project is up for final approval with the borough planning board on Aug. 20. Construction could begin next summer, Mayor Vahala has announced.
"That's a big help for me," Koukourdelis was quoted in a recent newspaper article. He is also the owner of the property around the Duchess, including the land where Precision Motorsports sits and a house on
What ever.
Not an over active mind and not going anywhere. Many professions and companies maintain confidentiality even for prospective clients who consult with them but do not enter into a relationship.
Thanks for the info.
No. Nothing strange. I said the developer was in my offices. I am the employer and there was no client/cuctomer relationship with either. The financer/investor asked me a question. It is free information. You have an over active mind. Move elsewhere.
FIP - I guess your employer doesn't require that you keep information about prospective clients/customers confidential? Strange.
Tyreen--It is financing pure and simple. The developer was hustling last year in my offices in NY for second tier financing. I know because the financier/investor asked me "You live in Metuchen don't you?" and "what kind of town is it?" "What's the tax base, the people?" This project is going to take a long time. Be patient.
Taxes are cheaper on a vacant lot than an empty building you can't get tenants for?
There is contact info for the developer on their web site. You can ask them directly.
Is it going to have a similar menu? I miss the Duchess.
"Construction could begin next summer"? Why not sooner? I really am asking the question - not trying to get some spat going. Is it permits? Leases? Financing? I don't know anything about this stuff... all I know is that I have been hearing about this project for years. That Walmart by Costco seemingly went up overnight, so why couldn't this start happening at a quciker pace? Is it just that it isn't one single big box going in?
By the way, hope to see back open soon, Mr. Koukourdelis... my husband misses those grilled swiss on rye after he works a night shift.