First tenant at East River Plaza opens its doors
November 12, 2009 12:00PMEast Harlem's new big-box retail shopping center, East River Plaza, officially opened today on FDR Drive, according to a press release, with Costco welcoming customers. The 500,000-square-foot center, developed through a partnership between Forest City Ratner Companies and the Blumenfeld Development group, will include a Target, Best Buy, Marshalls, PetSmart and Old Navy. Costco, which occupies a little over a fifth of the plaza's total space, is the first tenant to open, bringing 400 new jobs to the area. Leasing at the center largely has been considered a success; according to developer Bruce Ratner, 90 percent of the retail space has been leased out. All told, the East River Plaza will create an estimated 2,000 jobs.TRD
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Comments
Anonymous
i went to costco for the grand opening and it was nice.they had the best deals.this was my first time shopping at costcoand i will rate a 5 tums up
Comment #1 Posted By: Anonymous 11/13/09
Anonymous
why do u need a card to get into costco that just crazy.
Comment #2 Posted By: Anonymous 11/14/09
gary morales
I would like to know if costco is going to sell rice and beans for the locals.
Comment #3 Posted By: gary morales 11/14/09
Anonymous
That's racist...Gary...not all the "locals" eat rice and beans. We started eating American food years ago, didn't you get the memo...
Comment #4 Posted By: Anonymous 11/20/09
Anonymous
It great but there is a greater ecconomic fall out in the small businesses in the area, lot of them will end up going out of business, makes me wonder.
Comment #5 Posted By: Anonymous 11/23/09
Anonymous
i feel that people should stop saying that costco would run the local stores out of the area first of all there are a lot of things locals have for the public that costco cant offer for instance you might only need a stick of butter or a quart of milk or a cup cake or just a half dozen of eggs or lottery tickets this is just a few items that you could still get at your local grocery store ohhhh and last but not least you can still go in and get ciggaretts and may be a can of beer so this is just a few things you could still get at your local grocer so dont give us that junk about costco running the locals away they would still be there..... and besides all of you people complaniting about costco i bet if you were giving your local party where would you run to get your ribbs or chicken from the bodaga or costco... stop crying every one comes on top
Comment #6 Posted By: Anonymous 11/24/09
from ues
the rice and beans in east harlem are delicious, you don't know what you are missing i've been to this costco and the employees were BEAMING to have their jobs. can't wait for the other stores to open
Comment #7 Posted By: from ues 12/05/09
Jose
If the local merchants weren't so pig-headed with keeping-up to date their merchandise and customer services, not to mention actually offering enticing items for sale, and not mostly junky overpriced, out of date goods, people would not be flocking to this place. I for one welcome their arrival. Now let's get going with more boutique restaurants.
Comment #8 Posted By: Jose 12/07/09
Minnie
Any apts for rent in that area? Something afforable.
Comment #9 Posted By: Minnie 01/04/10
MTH
I looked forward to Cosco but was disappointed. I was told I had to use $, a debit card or open an American Express card through Costco. I have GREAT credit on my Visa that I wanted to use. When I wanted to discuss this w/the tall sister (non-hispanic?) she became belligerent. She told me I looked like the co-owner of Costco & I said what does that mean & what does it have to do w/the issue at hand? I tried to keep business in the neighborhood but I have to keep it at BJs in another borough. Because of that Costco policy & her unprofessionalism I don't want a member card anyway. She did me a favor.
Comment #10 Posted By: MTH 01/05/10