Volume LXXVI, Number 49
Experience the Holidays At Fonthill Castle and Mercer Museum . . . . . 5 New Chief Charts PPD Path Forward in 21st Century Policing . . . . . 9 Fitness Center at Princeton Health to Close . . . . . 10 Ray Davies, The Beatles, and The World Cup Magic of the Summer of ’66 . . . . . . . 14 Sophomore Morton Emerging As Key Performer For PU Women’s Hoops . .34 PDS Girls’ Hockey Aims To Keep on Winning Track as DeSimone Takes the Helm . . . . . 40
David Brophy Primed to Help PHS Boys’ Swimming Enjoy a Big Season . . . 39 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-18 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 32 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 44 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 13 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 33 Obituaries . . . . . . . 42-43 Performing Arts . . . 15-16 Police Blotter . . . . . . . . 6 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 44 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 'Tis The Season. . . . 19-31 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
www.towntopics.com
Locals and Officials Make Progress Towards New Town Master Plan
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Wednesday, December 7, 2022
New Businesses Bolster Local Economy In downtown Princeton and the Princeton Shopping Center, effects of the pandemic and ongoing construction projects have been blamed for low numbers and more than a few retail and restaurant closings. But recent openings, and announcements of future openings planned by businesses and restaurants, are encouraging signs for the local economy. “We have a whole bunch of businesses developing here,” said Isaac Kremer, executive director of the Princeton Business Partnership (PBP), formed last May to encourage the development of local businesses. “So the future looks bright.” New eateries to open in recent months include Maman on Hulfish Street, offering coffee, baked goods, and light fare; Ani Ramen House at 140 Nassau Street; a tea/sushi/dessert spot at the former Dunkin’ Donuts at 49 Nassau Street; and Taim in Princeton Shopping Center. Maruichi, a Japanese food and deli chain that has locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maryland, is planning to open in the former Panera Bread at 136 Nassau Street, which has been closed since before the pandemic.
The upscale clothing retailer Hermès plans to open in fall of 2023 at the former Ann Taylor site on Palmer Square. Signs on the window of the space next door indicate that clothing retailer Faherty will precede Hermès, with a spring 2023 opening planned. Charbellem Boutique is planning a shop on Witherspoon Street. The women’s clothing chain Johnny Was recently moved in to 69 Palmer Square West. “Opening in Princeton really fits their
geography, which goes from Long Island to King of Prussia, Pa.,” Kremer said of Johnny Was. “Their decision was driven by Hermès. The retail strategy that I’ve found works best is one in which you have a high-end store like Hermès, but also things that are affordable for most people. It’s called fusion strategy, and it works really well when done right.” Vacancies are being filled on Palmer Square. “We are pleased to welcome new retailers and restaurants to our
Eager to weigh in on the issues most important to the future of their town, about 250 Princeton residents and others circulated through Princeton Public Library’s Community Room between 4 and 7 p.m. on November 30 for the first public open session on the Princeton Master Plan. The open house, hosted by the Princeton Planning Board, presented Continued on Page 8 participants with four stations throughout the large room, one devoted to each of four key Princeton issues: housing, downtown, mobility, and open space and recreation. Ten feet tall and standing atop a seven- which rests an open Bible. Witherspoon foot-high pedestal, the cast bronze statue was an ordained minister, a leading memIndividuals were provided with informaof John Witherspoon, sixth Princeton Uni- ber of the Continental Congress, a foundtion at each station and they were given versity president (1768-94) and a signer ing father of the United States, and the the opportunity to respond in detail with of the Declaration of Independence, now only clergyman and only college president ideas about how Princeton should adpresides over the University’s Firestone to sign the Declaration of Independence. dress its biggest challenges. There were Plaza near East Pyne Hall — but its days But he was also a slaveholder (as were hundreds of conversations throughout may be numbered. the other first nine presidents of Princeton the room during the more than three Witherspoon (1723-1794), in the “heroic University), and a petition to remove the hours of the event, and visitors wrote realistic” style statue created in 2001 by statue, initiated by members of the Uniout comments and questions, and noted Scottish sculptor Alexander Stoddart, is versity’s Department of Philosophy and their preferences on a series of maps at depicted preaching at a lectern on top of signed by about 300 graduate students, is each station. Continued on Page 12 “A master plan is a community’s blueprint for its future,” stated the flier handed out by the meeting hosts. “A new master plan will enable Princeton to set policies and priorities that will guide its decisions over the coming years, from housing and business to mobility and climate change. It tries to answer such questions as: Where should new housing go? How can we reduce traffic to make traveling around town easier? What does the municipality need to thrive economically? What kinds of outdoor spaces does it need?” The master plan project is guided by a steering committee of Princeton resi- Voted Best dents and business owners, appointed Furniture Store by the Princeton Planning Board and assisted by a team of planning, economic development, and public outreach consultants. The planners are currently processing information collected at last Wednesday’s session, along with additional information from surveys conducted earlier this year and other public input. There will be more steering committee meetings, more technical meetings with staff, and other ON THE HUNT: A self-guided scavenger hunt, including items in a festive tree, was among the activities opportunities for public commentary in the coming months, including another at The Watershed Institute’s Holiday Open House on Saturday. The event also featured live music, crafts, local vendors, refreshments, and more. Attendees discuss their favorite things about the event in this week’s community open house and another
Princeton University’s Witherspoon Statue Is Focus of Discussion on Legacy of Racism
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Continued on Page 8
Town Talk on page 6.
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