New Anchor Store, Upcoming Plans for Suffern Revitalization

BY MICHAEL RICONDA

The upcoming opening of a new ACE Rainbow Store at 140 Orange Avenue in Suffern, is the first of several projects in a revitalization plan for Suffern’s business and residential districts.

ACE Rainbow is one of several projects geared toward the revitalization. Others include a new building, parking garage, and $3 million in renovations for the Jewish Home for the Aged Gitlow Campus, 48 new residential condominiums at the former site of Conserv Construction, 21 town house units on Route 202 near Memorial Drive, and a multi-year façade program which will redo eighteen storefronts this spring and allow some restaurants to offer outdoor dining areas.

Construction for several of the projects is expected to begin in the spring. In addition, LaCorte explained that a large office complex was currently in its planning stages.

The new store at 140 Orange Avenue, which will be owned and operated by the Dizzia Family, is the first ACE Rainbow in Rockland County. The chain specializes in home and outdoor furnishings, pet supplies, and health and beauty aids.

The Dizzias stated that after the current owners with Off-Track Betting leave the premises, bids will be selected for renovations. The store will have about thirty part-time employees and is expected to open its doors by back-to school season.

Suffern Mayor Dagan LaCorte was joined by Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee and Suffern Chamber of Commerce President John-Paul Molfetta at a ceremony marking the revitalization.

LaCorte stated that the location near the state line will hopefully draw business from both New York and New Jersey, bringing revenue into the town and reducing the need for county residents to travel out of state for retail shopping.

“For the first time in a long time, we’re getting a store right here on the border of New York and New Jersey,” LaCorte said.