DELMAR — Delmar Plaza will be receiving a facelift over the next several months, as the owners—a family with deep roots in the area—endeavor to beautify and modernize the property, which received its last makeover about 30 years ago.
“We’re going to put a whole new facade on the front of the whole plaza, except for Hannaford because they just spent millions of dollars redoing their whole store,” explained former state Senator Howard Nolan. “We will also be replacing sidewalks in front of the plaza and doing some work on the parking lot.” The work will begin on Monday, July 16 and is expected to be complete by mid-November.
“We just felt that it’s time,” he continued. “When we bought this plaza, we were the only shopping center in the Town of Bethlehem and now there are many.” Noting the increased development in town, he said they are hoping to remain competitive and draw new businesses to occupy the 180 Delaware Avenue location, easily accessible by both Bethlehem and Albany residents.
Currently, the plaza is home to eight eating establishments, including Shalimar, Delmar Bistro and Hidden Cafe, a Greek restaurant voted best in the region many times. It also boasts two banks, Key and Citizen’s; five health and beauty options; six services (realty, taxes and daycare among them); and six retail stores—for things such as video games, wine, paper, and paint.
One thing Debbie Nolan Murray, Howard’s daughter, would like to see is a wider variety of retailers in the plaza. While she knows that many do their shopping online these days, she believes (correctly, according to one Facebook survey we conducted) that Delmar residents and other locals would be thrilled to have more clothing and home retail options nearby.
Acknowledging that there may be more options in town than in generations past, she said she still believes that they have the best location, “because we are right in the heart of Delmar, and Delmar is a great community!” Nolan said she has been a member of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce for many years, saying, “They really support their local businesses.”
“We have always had a good working relationship with the town,” said Sen. Howard Nolan, smiling as he recalled the relationships he has developed with each Town Supervisor, regardless of party politics.
Anyone interested in renting space in the plaza, which is usually close to capacity, should call (518) 439-9030 or email Debbie at [email protected]