Simon Property Group officially closes the Nanuet Mall and demolition has already begun to transform the property into “The Shops at Nanuet,” an elaborate open-air town center featuring brand new shopping, entertainment, and dining. The Nanuet Mall which opened in 1969 was once known as the most popular hotspot in Rockland County before being dwarfed by the Palisades Mall in 1998. It was also the unfortunate location of the notorious 1981 Brinks Robbery. Perhaps this new main-street concept of lifestyle shopping could one day compete with it’s surroundings, including the monster responsible for its...

Yikes, especially when it comes to car servicing. Usually, you bring your car in to your favorite garage, or favorite dealer I guess) with a list of stuff to do. The favorite garage goes through the list and yes, often makes suggestions of additional needed items. It seems to me in the dealership world, there is a slightly different focus, nothing gets repaired… just replaced…and “they” live to replace…. I drove 29 feet in my Mercedes the other day and suddenly my dashboard was glowing like Xmas lights, yellow as they were, ABS, BAS and another. Some people call them idiot lights. While a surprise, it wasn’t a shock, as it...

As an after thought from yesterday’s headlines regarding the “25%”  reduction in Chrysler dealers around the country, with quite a few from the east coast, brought to mind dueling thoughts.  Sympathy for the soon to be departed, from the dealer principle down; adding to the rise in unemployment, unless the more creative who saw the (obvious) coming, found alternatives.  Reality contentment,in knowing there were (and still is)entirely way too many dealers to begin with.  It almost bordered on the ridiculous.  This brings to mind a few other areas that I believe need a reduction.  Look around,,,aren’t there...

Wine tasting is the order of day when you step into “By the Bottle “wine shop on Main Street in Nanuet. In today’s tough economic times, owner Milagros Cerderia has collected a selection of fine wines for around $10.00 per bottle. She specializes in Portuguese wines and ports but carries wine from all over the globe. On any given day there is always a red and white available for tasting, but often there are special days where many wines from a region will be offered. A friendly atmosphere in a small shop makes for a very enjoyable shopping experience. Sign up for e-mail notices and you can partake in one of the samplings. On fat...