Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees, Victoria’s Secret Opening in Bay Plaza

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees, Victoria’s Secret Opening in Bay Plaza: Yankees, Victoria’s Secret Opening in Bay Plaza By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 15- The Bay Plaza shopping center’s new...

Yankees, Victoria’s Secret Opening in Bay Plaza

Yankees, Victoria’s Secret Opening in Bay Plaza

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 15- The Bay Plaza shopping center’s new wing, which has been in the planning stage for years, opened on Thursday morning.

Portions of the new mall, including its spanking new Macy’s, were still under construction by the middle of this week. Portions of the new mall will not be completed until next year.

The new mall, when it is fully completed, will be anchored by Macy’s at one end and a pre-existing JC Penney’s department store at the other end. 

Stores in the new mall will ultimately include Victoria Secret Express, Swarovski Crystals, H&M, Michael Kors, and the Yankee Clubhouse.

Other chains that have signed leases to be at Bay Plaza include Zales Jewelers, Kay Jewelers, Matthew’s Jewelers, Cohen Optical, Bath & Body, Charlotte Rousse, Champs, Footlocker, Lid’s Hats, Joe’s Crab Shack, the Olive Garden, Red Robin, American Eagle Aeropostale, and Sprint.

The new Macy’s, which will be an anchor store for Bay Plaza’s new, enclosed mall, will comprise 160,000 square feet on its own.

The 780,000-square foot extension of Bay Plaza will mean that the shopping center, which is on the outskirts of Co-op City, will comprise close to two million square feet.

The price tag for the extension of the Bay Plaza mall is expected to approach $300 million. The new mall is expected to create 1,700 permanent jobs and to have parking for up 2,300 cars.

The extension of Bay Plaza’s new wing will be connected to the existing JC Penney store at Bay Plaza.

In recent months, those living in Co-op City and those driving by the community have seen the new wing of the shopping center rising on its southern end of the Bay Plaza shopping center. 

The shopping center’s developers and elected officials have stressed that the impending of Bay Plaza’s new wing is an exciting development for the Bronx and Westchester.

Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., among others, have touted the development of Bay Plaza’s new wing as a sign of progress in the Bronx and in the city as a whole. 

Bay Plaza, which first opened in the mid-1980s and spans 1.3 million square feet, is already the largest mall in the Bronx.

When the new mall is completed, it will be attached to the current shopping center. The entire mall will be enclosed, making it the first mall of this kind in the Bronx.

“We are talking to all the major chains about coming to Bay Plaza,” Sam Shalem, CEO of Prestige Properties (the shopping center’s developer), has stressed. “This is just the kind of suburban mall this area needs.”

Shalem has said that he is confident that the enlarged mall will have major appeal to the more than four million people who live in close proximity to Co-op City.

Shalem has stated that he expects the new shopping center to attract those living in Westchester and southern Connecticut, as well as those living in neighborhoods through the Bronx.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bay Plaza

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bay Plaza: Bay Plaza’s Open for Business BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 14- Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was the very first customer at the new Macy&#3...

Bay Plaza

Bay Plaza’s Open for Business

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 14- Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was the very first customer at the new Macy's near Co-op City, which officially opened as part of the new Mall at Bay Plaza—a facility which has 780,000 square feet of retail space and is the first enclosed fashion mall in the New York City area in almost 40 years. 

To fill 1,800 new job spots, Governor Andrew Cuomo's Unemployment Strikeforce partnered with Borough President 

Diaz and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation to help match candidates with the positions.

“To all the Macy’s family, on behalf of 1.4 million Bronxites, I want to say thank you,” Diaz said. “This is truly a partnership between the community, community leaders, people like Marlene Cintron, who is the president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation; and, of course, government.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I just want to say this: of all of the brands that are being sold at Macy’s, in all seriousness, the number one brand, the most important brand that is being sold here today is that of the ‘New Bronx.’

“When Macy’s makes a decision to go somewhere, they don’t make that decision lightly. And so to invest in our borough, to give our residents better and more pleasant shopping opportunities, to give employment to our borough…but also to send a message across the nation that they’re coming to The Bronx, and they’re here in The Bronx, it shows that something good is happening right here.

“So for that, we all want to say thank you, God bless you, and let’s continue to move forward.”

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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Monroe Football

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Monroe Football: Football Phenoms Return Monroe Gears Up for New Season By Gary Axelbank BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 14- Last week, the NJCAA recognized thr...

Monroe Football

Football Phenoms Return

Monroe Gears Up for New Season

By Gary Axelbank

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 14- Last week, the NJCAA recognized three Monroe Mustangs playmakers as top-returners for the upcoming 2014 football season. Quarterback Clayton Turner, running back Robert Jackson, and wide receiver Jaquan Spann were cited for their achievements in Monroe's groundbreaking 2013 season and as important cogs in the future. Also two defensive players, tackle Elijah Young and safety Leonardo Lorenzo, were recognized.

For a team that relied on stellar defense to achieve a a stunning six-game winning streak that resulted in a 7-3 record in just their second varsity season, the NJCAA's notice of offensive playmakers is an excellent sign for 2014, but it might also contain some cautionary warnings.

"The emergence of our offensive weapons, especially in the running game, helped support our strong defense last year," said Coach Terry Karg.  "One of the challenges this season will be to replace many talented players who have moved on to play at NCAA level, but with the return of Turner, Jackson and Spann we hope to become more consistent on offense."

The development of running back Robert Jackson was a key to Monroe's success a year ago. The 5 foot 9 power half-back from Plainfield, NJ had more than 100 yards rushing in each of the Mustangs' last six games, coinciding with the win streak. His best game was the 176 yards he ate up against Thaddeus Stevens in a 26-6 win in late October.

Turner was another revelation on offense last year. The rangy 6 foot 4 signal-caller from Atlanta was injured in the season's regular season opener and he missed a month. But when he returned, he settled down the position, averaging 120 yards/game and throwing for 12 TD passes in the six games of the winning streak.

Spann caught 21 passes in his nine games as a freshman. His 336 yards were second on the team. The native of Newark, NJ had two games where he had five receptions and he hauled in three TD passes.

On defense, Young is a 6 foot, 260 pound sophomore from White Plains, NY. At 5 foot 8, 170, safety Lorenzo, who doubles as return-man extraordinaire, is a lightning-bolt of a player who hails from Miami, FL.

"We are appreciative the NJCAA has recognized these returning players," Coach Karg said. "We are very aware that in order to be competitive in our conference it will take a total team effort on offense, defense and special teams. Last year, we took a positive step with our program and we're working hard through the preseason to prepare for the opponents that are on our 2014 schedule."

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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fashion week

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fashion week: Bronx to become center of Fashion Tweet   BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 13- Officials from Bronx Fashion...