A boomerang business for Foxmoor?
It's uncommon practice for a business to return to a general location where it once was located.
But outspoken local firebrand Sonny Hawkes is defying the norm and returning his business to Foxmoor Village, a short walk from where he once ran his Army & Navy shop that sells camouflage gear, BB and authentic guns, empty shells and grenade casings, and helmets, patches and other memorabilia from current and past military conflicts. Based on his well-informed but outspoken approach to local issues, the theme may seem appropriate.
Hawkes takes over the property where Citi Casuals is closing its doors this weekend after 15 years of business, just four years after the mall originally opened.
Why return to a place where he left about five years ago on bad terms after a five-year run there? "It (differences) was with a different owner. The new one (Dr. Ram Rayasam) was just taking over, he said.
Space — Hawkes said he left Foxmoor Village because his business outgrew the 700-square foot store where he was located. The site where he is returning is more than three times that size — 2,300-square feet — which is about the same size as his current location that was occupied previously by Manhart Hunting Supplies. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is widening the road on the Route 209 Bypass Project "right up to the sign," said Hawkes. And that would hurt business, even though he paid for Business Interruption Insurance.
Hawkes did not seem concerned there are seemingly as many empty storefronts as the 15 that are in business, including only one other retailer — Bon Worth, another longstanding clothier. Brandli's Restaurant also has been there a long time.
"It's a destination store," explained Hawkes. "I have people coming in from all over, from Alaska, from Canada and England. Those who want what I sell, know where to find me."
What other stores would you like to see at Foxmoor Village? It's a frequently heard debate and EPCN would like to hear your opinion. Check the pullout questionnaire at the end of this column for details. Please, no banks, pharmacies or pizzerias.
Norman Adie, owner of the Foxmoor Cinema who will break ground later this fall for a new multiplex in Matamoras, has a federal suit involving "fraud and other charges" against Rayasam scheduled to be heard in April over the conditions of the mall.
But Hawkes said that "about $30,000 has gone into landscaping it so far. He promised he'd do that. That's why I went back."
Rayasam did not return a call to his office for comment but Hawkes said he understood that more money would be invested. A township official said he understood the amount to reach $100,000.
Adie said on Tuesday it is just "smoke and mirrors with the grounds. He landscaped the bushes and put some gravel down and painted some buildings but there are bigger issues," referring to structural questions.
A look by this corner around the mall shows that it does look much cleaner and neater. Dead shrubs were removed and others pruned and weeds were removed from walkways.
One resident said in a township supervisors meeting that most people in the township don't care about Foxmoor Village and feel it has seen its day. Hawkes agreed that "60 percent of the people were against it but since it's been fixed up, I've heard all good things about it."
Adie said he has met with Rayasam and offered to buy the mall.
"I offered him $3 million a month ago. He wanted three times that much," said Adie. "There's no way I'm going to pay $9 million, but he said it was for the square footage and you don't buy it strictly on that principal. I'm going forward with subpoenaing his people."
Adie also said he offered to bring in businesses like with the ones coming into his Matamoras location during his meeting with the landlord.
"I wanted to collaborate on the mall but he said there is only one boss," said Adie. "I'm just frustrated. I can't work with him."
With the stores closed, tourist buses don't stop there any more. But you can shed thoughts on changing that by answering the survey.
IN ANOTHER ISSUE, Lehman Township Supervisor Paul Menditto, an active volunteer for youth baseball, said he has sent a letter to state Rep. John Siptroth, D-189, asking him to oppose an idea of banning metal alloy bats.
"There is no evidence showing them to be dangerous," said Menditto, who is organizing support on the issue.
Other opponents warned lawmakers in Harrisburg on Thursday that mandating wooden bats with fines of $25 for players and $50 for organizers defying the ban would not guarantee safety and drive up costs to replace the more breakable wooden bats. New York City has imposed a ban.
After a 90-minute hearing by the House Children and Youth Committee on the proposed metal bat ban, the chairwoman, Rep. Louise Williams Bishop, D-Philadelphia, said the bill sponsored by Rep. Michael B. Carroll, D-118 Luzerne, Monroe, had virtually no chance to pass.