Home Care In Mt Laurel, NJ

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ — It's a split decision for the school districts serving Mount Laurel Township as one district received a modest increase in state aid while the other could see a significant decrease in aid under a proposed state aid plan announced by Governor Phil Murphy.

The Mount Laurel School District, which includes Thomas E. Harrington Middle School, Mount Laurel Hartford School, Countryside Elementary School, Fleetwood Elementary School, Hillside Elementary School, Larchmont Elementary School, Parkway Elementary School, and Springville Elementary School, will see an increase in state school funding aid of 3.71 percent to raise the proposed amount for the 2024-2025 to $7,636,887.

Conversely, the Lenape Regional High School District — where Mount Laurel high school students attend — could see their school aid slashed by 19.86 percent. The proposed school aid would cut funding by $4,692,106 to a total of $18,931,779, which includes dollars for transportation, special education, and security.

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A message from School Superintendent Dr. Carol L. Birnbohm on the District's website called the cuts "disheartening" and said that "our school funding for the 2024-2025 year will be gutted beyond what was ever anticipated."

Despite implementing these gradual cuts, including but not limited to, reducing certain services, eliminating courtesy bussing within 2 ½ miles, implementing neighborhood bus stops, pausing curriculum writing and textbook purchases, imposing athletic and activity fees, and the strategic reduction of staff through attrition, we are now facing an unexpected and substantial reduction in state aid of $4.69 million, almost 14 times more than what was mandated" by state law, said Birnbohm.

"With uncontrollable factors like increased healthcare costs, transportation, energy, inflation, and persistent underfunding of special education, our staff was already preparing for a budget hole in the millions," she added.

"Now with this unprecedented reduction in state aid in one year, this canyon-sized hole demands that we reevaluate our plans and make deeper cuts that will inevitably impact programs and staffing. We will be communicating our new plans within the month," Birnbohm. "Year after year reductions in funding made by our state leaders will jeopardize the high school experiences our students deserve."

State Senator Troy Singleton, who represents the 7th Legislative District including Mount Laurel in the State Legislature, said he was "extremely disappointed to learn that several school districts in LD7 had a drastic reduction in funding in the Governor’s budget proposal."

"However, it is important to note that the Governor’s budget is just that - a proposal, as it must go through the legislative approval process by July 1st. Last year, many districts across the state and a few here in LD7 faced reductions in state aid and I proudly co-sponsored a supplemental aid bill to provide resources to mitigate the impact of those cuts. I plan to be active and engaged again this year to help support and deliver funding to our schools," he added.

Singleton says that he has "undertaken a number of efforts to begin to address the reductions in state aid to our local school districts."

Those steps have included: reaching out to the state Department of Education to determine the rationale and causation of those reductions and requesting a meeting with the agency's acting commissioners to discuss the impact on the school districts. He also has contacted the Office of Legislative Services to request an analysis of potential changes to the school funding formula, and how that could create more equity for our school districts.

The Senator also says that he has contacted the school districts in the 7th Legislative District "to get a clear picture of how these funding cuts will negatively impact school programming, educational delivery, faculty, and students."

Since the proposed school funding allocations have been announced, review and public hearings have been scheduled by the State Legislature to review the formula and hear from officials at the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE.)

On Thursday, March 14, the State Senate Education Committee took testimony from invited guests regarding the school funding formula. A recording of that hearing can be found online by CLICKING HERE.

The NJ General Assembly Budget Committee will take testimony from NJDOE officials on Wednesday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. while the State Senate Budget Committee will hear from officials on Tuesday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. These meetings will take place at the State House Annex in Trenton, or can be viewed online at the New Jersey State Legislature's website.

Birnbohm urged local residents to become involved in the school funding and budget process at the state and local level by writing "your involvement has the power to positively impact the students of LRHSD, not just for now but for the future."

For more information on school financing by the NJDOE, visit www.nj.gov/education/finance.

Macy’s has chosen Mount Laurel as its first ”small-format” location in the Philadelphia region.

The 30,200-square-foot store will open in the former Bed, Bath & Beyond space at Centerton Square in 2024, according to Welco Realty Inc., the leasing agent for the shopping center on Centerton Road near Route 38.

“We’re thrilled that Macy’s has selected Burlington County to pioneer its new small-format model in South Jersey,” said Burlington County Commission director Felicia Hopson.

“This will bring more jobs, foot traffic and quality goods to one of the region’s most popular shopping destinations,” she said. “It’s an exciting strategy by Macy’s that hopefully signals a turnaround for in-person retail.”

Asked whether Macy’s plans to open small-format stores elsewhere in the Philadelphia region, a spokesperson said the company will “continue to explore new locations to bring our Macy’s small-format stores closer to existing and desired customers.”

Welco president Jerry Welkis said the new Macy’s “will be a great asset to the center and its tenant mix,” which includes Wegman’s, Costco, and Target.

Macy’s launched the first iteration of its small-format stores, called Market by Macy’s, in 2020. So far a dozen small-format stores are open or planned in Boston, Atlanta, Texas, the Midwest, Southern California, and North Jersey. Mount Laurel and other planned stores will carry the traditional Macy’s nameplate.

“We’re extremely excited Macy’s chose Mount Laurel, especially because they’re taking over a vacant spot,” said Bill Giegerich, the township’s director of community and economic development. He said the township has approved the company’s request to begin renovations in the former Bed, Bath & Beyond space.

The choice of Mount Laurel “definitely speaks to the desirability and the access the township offers, and to the desirability of Centerton Square itself,” Giegerich said.

Macy’s company website defines the small format as between 30,000 to 50,000 square feet, or about one-fifth the size of its traditional stores. The mini-Macys are designed for “off-mall” locations, otherwise known as strip shopping centers, such as Centerton Square.

“My understanding is this will basically be a full-line department store in a smaller format, with {Macy’s] best-selling items,” Welkis said.

Macy’s sister store Bloomingdale’s, as well as Target, also operate smaller-format stores.

One of Target’s two small-format stores in Center City closed in March, and in October the company confirmed it had scrapped plans for a new store in University City.

Ikea opened a temporary ”pop-up” store at the Cherry Hill Mall earlier this year.

“Smaller-format stores can be a good move when the location is a well traveled shopping area like Centerton Square,” said Carol Kaufman-Scarborough, a retired marketing professor at Rutgers-Camden.

“In part, the success of the store will depend upon the selection of merchandise in comparison to the selection in the typical-format stores [and] whether the merchandise mix matches the customer’s expectations,” she said.

Macy’s Philadelphia-area stores include Center City, Northeast Philly, and King of Prussia, as well as in Cherry Hill and Deptford in South Jersey. Macy’s also operates a freestanding furniture store on Route 38 in Maple Shade.

A Macy’s small-format store will be coming to Mount Laurel ‘s Centerton Square Shopping Center, taking over a 30,000 square foot space which was previously a Bed, Bath and Beyond store. Macy’s Mount Laurel is expecting to be open sometime in 2024.

The Centerton Square shopping center is located on Route 38 in Mount Laurel, at the Route 295 exit. Other distinctive tenants are Wegmans, Costco and Top Golf.

The news for this Macy’s signing comes from Welco Realty out of New York state, who represented the landlord in finalizing the lease arrangement with Macy’s.

In the South Jersey, area Macy’s has large multi-level full department store locations in the Deptford and Cherry Hill malls. They also operate a separate furniture store on Route 38.

While the Macy’s mall located stores are still the foundation of the brand, they have recognized that there are new opportunities to expand into very successful shopping centers and communities, in spaces left empty from the unfortunate closing of other retailers such as Bed, Bath and Beyond.

The Macy’s small-format gameplan is not unique to the retail sector, as Burlington stores previously announced plans to double their number of stores to 2,000.. via smaller square footage locations such as a relocated store in Turnersville in a former Officemax, and a new West Berlin NJ location in a former Modell’s space.

Macy’s foray into the small format “big box” store concept began the in 2020 with its first iteration of stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They then expanded through Atlanta, Saint Louis and Chicago. By the end of 2022 Macy’s had eight small format store locations.

With their initial store openings proving to be successful, Macy’s is now looking to grow with additional locations. For 2023 they announced 4 locations opening this fall, including the first one coming into the northeast in Boston MA!

While those original eight locations were known as Market By Macy’s, a press release earlier this year says new stores will simply be known as Macy’s.

Macy’s small-format stores promise an immersive shopping experience in stores in the 30,000 to 50,000 square foot range.

Located in off mall shopping centers, the stores will offer a curated assortment of Macy’s distinctive fashion, on-trend beauty, luxury fragrances and more.

They also hope to collaborate with local businesses to create pop-up shops and events within the stores.

One aspect of the Macy’s small format store is the “Trend Pavilion” section where a continuous flow of fashionable trends, must haves, and new seasonal merchandise are offered. Categories include men’s, women’s and kids fashion… as well as beauty products, toys, luggage, giftable items and more. Brands include Polo Ralph Lauren, Levis, Calvin Klein, as well as Macy’s private brands.

The smaller store format still features elevated fitting rooms with larger spaces, lounge area, full length mirrors and more.

While I have not been inside one of the smaller format stores, it does seem that Macy’s will offer their full signature experience, but with a product selection curated to fit the smaller footprint space.

“We’re thrilled by the success of our small-format stores and ongoing geographic expansion with our inaugural move into the Northeast and Western region,” said Marc Mastronardi, Chief Stores Officer at Macy’s, Inc. “As a growth vector for Macy’s, Inc., small-format stores offer a curated shopping experience celebrating discovery and convenience. These stores optimize our physical store footprint and bring us closer to existing and desired customers while encouraging more frequent visits.”

Marc Mastronardi, Chief Stores Officer at Macy’s, Inc

Centerton Square Shopping Center

The Centerton Square shopping center has clearly established itself as one of South Jersey’s top retail (and more) destinations, featuring many of the most desirable stores and more.

The center is located in Mount Laurel New Jersey on Rt 38, where it meets Route 295.

As mentioned, Centerton features a variety of top retail names.. but likely the most distinctive are Wegman’s, Costco, and Top Golf.

Many know the center from those brands as there are only 2 Wegmans in South Jersey, two Costco’s (the second opening just a few years ago), and very distinctive regional destination fun spot and restaurant… Top Golf, which is the only location in South Jersey.

Top Golf opened in 2018 and the large facility quickly established itself as a fun destination place for South Jersey. It’s multiple levels of all season golf bays, as well as bars and restaurants seem to be always filled every time I visit!

For the Centerton main shopping center, the right side building alone features the Wegmans supermarket, a Target store, and then Macy’s will be opening directly next to Target!

The far left side of the shopping center features Costco wholesale. Other larger stores include Burlington, TJ Maxx, and Joann.

Recent signings and openings include Tommy’s Tavern, which is a full restaurant and bar experience. Bath and Body Works is also a new tenant (located on the other side of the upcoming Macy’s) Also in the mix of new food options are Crumbl Cookies and &pizza.

Other food options include Panera Bread, a recently remodeled Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s, Wendy’s and more.

Links and Locations

Macy’s Small Format Store (Coming in 2024)8 Centerton RdMt Laurel Township, NJ 08054

TRENTON, NJ -- Burlington County State Senator Troy Singleton is among leading lawmakers who unveiled proposed legislation on Monday that would change the so-called "Mt. Laurel Doctrine" which governs affordability and equal access to homeownership for New Jerseyans.

Under the legislation, a new and streamlined process would give municipalities greater flexibility to build affordable housing. It also would create a neutral panel of experts to mediate conflicts about how much and where affordable housing should be built in order to reduce the costly and lengthy litigation that has delayed the building of new housing.

“Although New Jersey has doubled its supply of affordable housing over the last eight years, we still remain over 200,000 units short,” said Singleton, who serves as the chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. “While this proposal will not address all of the barriers to affordable housing development, it will streamline the process and ensure that towns are in compliance with the obligations established by the courts."

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"Expanding access to affordable housing must continue to be a priority, as it is needed now more than ever," added Singleton.

Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex) said that Democratic leaders of the State Legislature have "consulted with municipal leaders, builders, lenders, and advocates to develop an approach that will increase the inventory of affordable housing and, hopefully, reduce the burdens and delays that all parties have faced for so long.”

Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) called the announcement a "significant step" in preserving and developing more affordable housing in the state.

Reverend Eric Dobson, president of the United Black Agenda coalition, called the long-standing Mt Laurel Doctrine "the strongest framework in the nation to require affordable homes in historically exclusionary communities."

"First established through organizing and legal action by local NAACP branches and residents in South Jersey almost 50 years ago, the Mount Laurel Doctrine has helped break down patterns of segregation and has promoted greater economic integration across New Jersey," Rev. Dobson noted.

Lawmakers say that since a New Jersey Supreme Court ruling in 2015, trial courts have been deciding affordable housing obligations for New Jersey communities after the State Supreme Court ruled that the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) was not capable of functioning as intended. This has led to lengthy, expensive conflicts that have crippled the state’s ability to ensure affordable housing is available for residents, the lawmakers contend.

"Housing shortages hurt everyone in our state — shrinking our labor supply and handicapping our economic growth," said Adam Gordon, Executive Director of the Fair Share Housing Center. "On the other hand, access to affordable housing in vibrant communities, with strong schools and employment opportunities, addresses so many other problems at their root."

The proposed measure would replace COAH with a statutory formula for determining obligations and a municipally-driven process for developing constitutionally required affordable housing.

Instead of disputes about the amount of housing that should be built going through court processes, lawmakers say the bill would establish mediation panels to quickly and efficiently arrive at the amount of housing needed and where it should be built in each municipality.

Any municipality engaging in a good-faith effort to build the necessary amount of affordable housing would be temporarily immune from lawsuits brought by developers.

“It’s encouraging that New Jersey’s legislative leaders are taking steps to safeguard and strengthen our state’s affordable housing framework. At a time when housing costs — and homelessness — are rapidly rising across our state, affordable housing must be protected and expanded to meet the challenges that working families are facing," said Rev. Dobson.

Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-Middlesex) says that a group of leading legislators have "worked to create a process that lays out a uniform, transparent and efficient plan for municipalities to meet their fair share obligations. The bill achieves our goal of striking a balance between the needs of municipalities and the increased need for affordable housing production.”

The lawmakers say they are putting the legislation forward before the next round of municipal affordable housing obligations, which begins on July 1, 2025.

Under the proposed legislation, a municipality must adopt its affordable housing obligation by binding resolution on or before January 31, 2025 in order to be assured of protection from a builder’s remedy lawsuit.

Macy's will open a new store next year at the Centerton Square shopping center in Mount Laurel, but the location will be smaller than what Macy's shoppers may expect.

Last month, Macy's revealed plans to open 30 stores in the U.S during the next two years, none of which will be in shopping malls. With stores that are about 20% the size of a typical Macy's, the company hopes to entice on shoppers who frequent big-box stores at strip malls.

The Macy's in Mount Laurel will be about 32,000 square feet, and it's one of two planned in New Jersey. Welco Realty confirmed the details, and the company noted the new Macy's will replace a former Bed Bath & Beyond. Other shops in Centerton Square include Wegmans, Target, Costco, T.J. Maxx and DSW.

Macy's has already opened 12 of its smaller stores in cities like Chicago, Boston, St. Louis and Las Vegas. The company plans to open 15 by the end of this year.

Marc Mastronardi, Macy's chief stores officer, told CNBC that the new store concept is a response to lagging mall traffic. Those that have already opened have posted better sales results than typical Macy's stores, many of which span several floors at malls.

Bloomingdale's, the luxury department store chain also owned by Macy's, operates a similar smaller stores called Bloomie's, which has three U.S. locations.

The new Macy's stores carry a more curated selection of goods than the retailer's full-size department store locations. Mastronardi said beauty products, career apparel and toys have been popular sections at the smaller stores that have opened thus far.

Macy's is seeking ways to reach new shoppers and increase its appeal to younger consumers. The retailer historically has been more tethered to malls than some of its competitors, like Kohl's and Nordstrom. The company has sought ways to rebound from economic challenges currently facing department stores, including higher rents and shoppers spending more on essentials like food and transportation.

The other planned New Jersey Macy's will be at the Interstate Shopping Center in Ramsey, Bergen County. Opening dates for the stores have not yet been determined. In South Jersey, Macy's has ] department stores at malls in Cherry Hill and Deptford, as well as a furniture store in Maple Shade.

Michael Tanenbaum PhillyVoice Staff

[email protected]

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