There is a big difference between a Trader Joes and a Muslim meat market. Hatboro is a hot mess without a plan - spiraling downward fast. Are they going to erect a mosque where the Old Mill Inn is? I just don't see the draw for a business like that in Hatboro - and what it might draw I don't want in my town (period.) Seems like borough consultant is just making quotas and not considering the big picture. Hatboro, wake the hell up!

Wow, another genius idea in Hatboro. I agree with Sean F, there is a huge difference between Trader Joe's and Hallal Meat Market. I don't see this business lasting a year in Hatboro. You need something that will bring people to your town. A trader Joe's would definitely have done that and continued to do that on a consistant basis. Think about how often people have to go to the market and then think about how often people need to "rent to own" furniture...

OMG seriously? I agree with the above two posters. Halal?? Here comes the demise of Hatboro, slowly but surely. As if it isn't already starting to get bad enough. Just what we DON'T need!

I'm seeing an erosion of Hatboro's "character" every time another business closes. I don't know if anyone is trying to coordinate the types of businesses that are replacing the closed ones, but some effort should be made. It seems that, with effort, businesses can prosper in the small town atmosphere that Hatboro offers. Look at towns like Doylestown, Ambler, and Newtown. Don't forget, we need to patronize our businesses to make them succeed. Shop local1

I would like a minute to say that Lochel's Bakery is owned and operated by another member of the Lochel family, not the current owners (who as of May 1st will not be the owners) of Lochel's Family Restaurant. In 2005 the bakery was taken over my Rob and Kathleen Lochel. As the article mentions, the bakery is NOT part of the transaction and is here to stay in Hatboro. We wish the new owners the best and hope they continue to serve the area, as they bring alot restaurant knowledge in with them. We do hope that people do not hear Lochel's and think of the bakery being sold as it was not the bakery owners decision to sell Lochel's Family Restaurant or any part of the Lochel name. Thank you to all who support our local bakery in Hatboro and we wish everyone a sweet day!

Fire BARTH NOW!

Let's see we have roll your own cig's and now a meat market, interesting how Hatboro seems to think this is revitalization.

What is so wrong with having a halal meat market? It's still meat. Quit all of your bias and prejudice. It's meat. Who cares if it has different customs behind it?

To Joe gabel: The reason why people don't shop on York road, is because alot of the shops are crappy. Hatboro is getting trashy. As another poster said "Roll your own cigs and now a Halal meat market." Really? Barth needs to go. None of this is going to help the economic growth of our town.

I agree I think Barth is all about quantity and not about quality. I believe they should hire someone who actually cares about the revitalization of Main Street. My vote would be for someone from the resident's association. No disrespect to Mr. Barth - but I checked hi LinkedIn profile and I don't see how he even qualified for this job. He does not have the credentials. He must be cronies with whoever did the hiring for this position. Hey if Fishtown can make a huge turnaround, so can Hatboro it just takes the right people to do the job. I have shopped and continue to shop and many of the stores so I don't need anyone telling me I have to shop local b/c I do:)

Hatboro is starting to smell like a Fishtown.. Bridget get real here. You like lamb, goat.. great, you'll get it nice & fresh. They'll sacifice, slaughter & butcher in the back room.. That cute little lammy you see in the am will be in somebody's belly in the pm. Talk about farm to table.....

Wow...that's some pretty blatant racism. Is the concern because this new place is Halal? It's not like they ran the old owners out of town. They're taking over what would have been an abandoned storefront and people have the nerve to complain because the owners aren't Christian? Where does a butcher shop bring down a community. Some of your comments are a disgrace. You should be happy that ANYONE wants to put a new business into such a closed-minded community.

Here's the important thing to consider -- if you don't like the new businesses, don't go there. Eventually they'll close up shop when there's no one shopping there and you'll have plenty of empty storefronts to play the "Which fictional white-owned store do I want to move into here" now game.

Marc I don't think it's about racism. Its about what we really "need" here in Hatboro. There are plenty of other types of businesses that would be more suitable. Don't make it a race issue.

I really do not understand this bias. No one had concerns about the Lacey Lady existing, yet that had sexual lingerie right in the store front. Instead, that will be closed and doors away there will be a meat market. Thank GOD the lingerie place closed down, it was disgusting to have that right in plain view of children such as my sister, whom every Halloween wanted to go into the "costume shop."

There is actually nothing wrong with this. And to those who say that this doesn't serve the community, the last time I checked there are still those that would need to purchase halal meat, even if they do not live smack in the middle of Hatboro. People travel in and out of the towns, I'm sure that this would bring in many new customers for Hatboro who previously did not come, as they had no need to.

Except for his liking the Lil Corner Kitchen, I agree with what Mr. Lombardi posts. Any store is better than an empty building with dirty windows and a faded "For Rent" sign. Main Street Hatboro once thrived and will thrive again. You cannot necessarily do what Mr. Wallace suggests and coordinate the old business with the new business because who would open the same kind of business in the same location where another business just left. You would figure they closed the store for a reason. If the business was thriving, it would still be open and thriving. I am not sure what credentials Mr. Barth is supposed to have had before attaining his position, but it seems like he is doing his job of keeping the storefronts full. A good mix of businesses is necessary. What is the sense of cookie cutter storefronts where nobody is shopping? Give the meat market a chance, you might be surprised.

I would worry more about the drunks, druggies and thieves hanging around than immigrants trying to run a business to support themselves. There were a lot of folks excited about a meat and seafood market until they heard "Halal", which is just a way of handling and processing the product. If the place is clean and sells quality items, who cares?! Seems there is a bit of Xenophobia in town.

Just to review, does this meat market not serve any part of a cow?

My wife and I who live near by were looking forward to it, looking for a place to get a fresh steak, but it looks to me its only lamb products

What do we need? Invite a friend or neighbor out for a walk in town some time soon. Grab a slice of pizza from Joe’s or a pastry from Lochel’s and stroll to the south end of town. Admire the well positioned, high quality furniture in Gamburg’s window, walk further and notice the nice outside façades of Mings and the adjacent buildings. Then, when you get to the Sweater Mill, stop for a moment. Look at the display window. Take in the professionally merchandised, high-quality clothing bathed in light from the halogen lights above. Admire the natural colors of the clothing competing with the pastels of spring fashion. Pretend your wearing the clothes and on the cruise elicited by this magnificent window display.

This is what Hatboro needs. More merchants, regardless of their product and price, with a passion for what they sell and a borough plan that embodies a commitment to professional visual merchandising.

For starters, the 'Halal' Butcher Shop, just like Aarons was misrepresented by the borough and its surrogate as to what exactly was coming to fill the store fronts. The butcher shop was labeled as just that – a butcher shop. To most people in Hatboro, even ones with open minds would not consider that the butcher shop would be a Halal shop that caters specifically to those of the Muslim faith. Surely anyone can shop there, but how often do you eat lamb? Approximately 92% of the Hatboro population is Caucasian and predominately christian. Those of Muslim faith only account for 1-2% of the population — state-wide. With stats like that, any savvy business proprietor should have the insight to see that that type of business will probably not survive long. Its not racism, its fact.

Yea, then take a stroll back north again in front of the" halal" butcher shop to admire the carcass of goats, dogs, cats & birds of prey hanging in the window filled with sun soaked sanguineous rays of sunshine ready for purchase by those that will come to Hatboro just to buy these products for that special price not available at the Lil corner kitchen. If the President can eat dog, so can we.

How about a few nice upscale bar/restaurants like there are in Doylestown and New Hope? Places that will draw a lot of money and a lot of people, business, during the day and night. Make our town a place to be, not a place to get away from.

Come to Hatboro your comments have provided mr Barth with many new ideas, he can get working on selling the old mill for a mosque, since his wawa plan fell through, then you can stroll north to the old Lacey lady which will become a place where one can purchase their Muslim garbs. Then stop at the butcher and get your recently slaughtered lamb. This is just plain disgusting what is happening to Hatboro. Mr. Barth gets paid a huge salary. Ask main street or it's president what he gets paid to bring this kind of crap to Hatboro. Don't let your doggies and cats run loose.

Sorry, but I do not plan on entering this establishment. I was also against Wawa but now have changed my mind, it suddenly looks good. What is our town coming to and why are our officials letting it happen? Call me a bigot or a racist, I don’t care. I moved to Hatboro because of what it had to offer. Sadly, that has changed. Our once quaint and safe little borough has become a run down, crime ridden cesspool. Shame on all of those that are in a position of public trust and authority.

Let's be honest. These type businesses are going to be the demise of Main Street Hatboro. What you people are not understanding is that the shops will be bringing in the wrong clientel and sorry to say, and I don't care what you call me either, but thus the neighborhood WILL effectively change (for the worse). Take a look at some of the neighborhoods in Philly that were once nice, clean, and upstanding neighborhoods. What happens when "good" business moves and "mediocre" business moves in? The clientele changes, crimes go up, the area becomes trashy, delapidated, and.... well... the neighborhood becomes a mess. We have enough crime in Hatboro lately, this is just another element that will draw more. Sorry, the truth hurts/

Ugh! Just doesn't feel like the revival the town needs. And I'm sorry but Lochels is not a "legacy" place. Ugh!

I am shocked at the blatant racism in the comments above...Marc Lombardi and Mike Staples have my vote for right attitude and sound reasoning.

Some of you others need to go visit the Statue of Liberty and read the inscription again.....your way of thinking is pretty much what the founding fathers wanted to get away from: religious tyranny and nationalism. The Hatboro Moroccan and Spanish residents that I have spoken to are down-to-earth hard working NICE people. What makes you so sure that you are better than them? They had to jump through a lot of hoops to get into this country....only to be treated and written about like this in a small town on the outskirts of Philadelphia - where this country had it's beginnings under the banner of Freedom and Liberty and Justice for all?
Sad.

Wow. Honestly I have no idea what to expect from a Halal meat market,but it will be right around the corner from me and I am definitely interested to see what it's like. The comments above make me want to stop anyone who would want to put a store here... Hatboro where if you aren't white and Christian we'll make your business fail before you start. It's really sad.

Mr. Barth does work hard to fill up Hatboro but remember- it's his job. And, he is not a resident of Hatboro, he's a Doylestownian ( yes, I made that word up). There is NO way Hatboro residents would pay Trader Joe's prices long & often enough to keep TJ's in biz here. I love our lil Mayberry RFD, but worry that our town revitalization may actually never happen. I mean, we were 20 days late on rent when the Braccia family filed to evict McCourt's from the Main Street Corridor. The day we left, Mr. Barth met with them to help them secure a new tenant. It wasn't meant against us, it is what he gets paid to do.

...And, Mr. Barth worked hard on our behalf to help us thrive and to help keep the wolves away. Sadly, we hadn't noticed the wolves in Sheep's clothing.

So we're getting a rental place and that's supposed to be a good thing? Those things are just scams for poor people, like payday loans. Goodbye, Hatboro, hello slums!

talk about judging the book by its cover.

Give it a shot people, and if its not to your or the communities liking, it will close down.

The sign looks nice on the front door, it might be a great addition to our town.

Marc Lombardi - why do you care so much what goes on in Hatboro when you live in Rosyln? Don't they have a patch you can rant and rave on?

Marc and Toni,
While searching for a home there was certain criteria that I had. A good school district, a downtown that was friendly, clean and safe were all nonnegotiable for my future family home. I found that in Hatboro. But that changed and I have a right to be angry, disappointed and even pissed off. Marc, since your so accepting of change, I will offer to sell you my house. If your not interested that’s fine. Just do me a favor and keep your opinions in Roslyn. Toni, there is a neat little neighborhood not far from us that I think you’ll love. Arabs, Indians, Mexicans, blacks and whites all live in harmony. They have learned to over-come the racial barriers that you think many of us have in Hatboro. This international village I’m referring to is Lacey Park aka Warminster Heights and there is always room for one more. They also have “jumped thru hoops” to get into this country, well maybe holes in border fences, but you get my drift.

For God's sake! All of this venom over a business because it is owned by people of a different culture? For everyone equating Hatboro's decline with minorities or minority owned business, open your eyes -- the rubble rolling around town comes in all forms. These people are working people, just like you and I and I can only hope they are not reading these ignorant and hurtful comments made by their neighbors.

As I have said in the past we need to all work together with a more positive attitude. This negativity is a disgrace. Let's focus on a clean & supportive community.

Speaking of clean the Dollar Mini Mart needs to be policed into cleaning up the sidewalk - trash cans, overflowing trash, empty display racks & milk crates. We have to have a sense of pride & respect. Who is in charge of this? I want a positive appearance to our town - not trash. Once I know who to speak to about this I will do something about it not just complain.

The bashing will only infect people. Motivate & make a difference that helps our community thrive.

I agree, Denise. We can't complain our way to improvement -- complainers aren't fixers, and fixers rarely complain.

Marc may be the only educated person on this long list of comments. Kudos to his parents for raising a fine young man. I am shocked and disgusted to know the level of bigotry and ignorance in this town. Thank you Marc for trying to inform them.

I thought they said the people who own the dollar General were the same people who are opening the butcher shop.

Thank you to all the supporter who like the idea of having a meat market in hatboro. And for the negative commenters please come and check us out.

The only comment that I can agree with wholeheartedly here is the sentiment to shop locally. I'm thrilled there will be another place to buy grocery items in Hatboro. I rejoice when I see otherwise vacant properties inhabited by a new venture, even if it's not a purveyor of something I need or want. (Frankly, I didn't need or want goofy underwear but I never resented Lacey Lady. I was disappointed to see "her" closing and I wish "her" former owner well. And here's to hoping that window will be full of other colorful merchandise in the near future whether I want to buy it or not.)
Hatboro's relative prosperity compared to its surroundings is a blessing. Wake up and look at neighboring towns where there is no vibrant downtown life. Not even a little bit. I moved here from one along our beloved York Rd. less than a year ago and God knows, I tried to do my part and interact with the barely existent downtown life there. I'm glad to have more opportunities here than in any other Montgomery County town where I've resided to walk, drive, or bike downtown to seek out new things I need or want there. Best wishes to you Felucca. May you be blessed and be a blessing in your business endeavors. To those who would like to hand-pick the next store in Hatboro or the demographic of the ownership - do what these other brave individuals are doing - put your time and money where your mouth is and open it yourself.

Thank you.

As a new Hatboro new business owner I am thrilled with the work Steven Barth is doing. As for the new meat market, my studio is only two doors down and I was fortunate to get a glimps inside. What a georgous market it is! This new owner spared no expence to make it a lovely and welocming market. Remeber that even the build out fuels our local economy. I cant wait for its grand opening. Hatboro has long been a business community of individually owned businesses who all support each other. I dont need a big chain store to get me to shop on main street. Those of you that do are missing the point. As far as the opposition to diversity , you should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Sherry Vitale

Thank you sherry. Can't wait to open the doors myself. Thank you for the support.

Marc Lombardi thank you.

wtf, I am looking foward to shoping at the new market.

I for one am looking forward to the new meat market. I truck all the way to Illg's every week for our meats and would be happy to shop at the new store. I bet the meats will be of Kosher quality and you simply can't beat that!! I am not surprised at the comments coming from narrow minded people. They certainly need to broaden their horizons. A rent to own store is another matter completely. You will be drawing the type of clientelle that you probably don't want in Hatboro and seems counter intuitive to me. I understand why Trader Joes decided not to come here. Town counsel really needs to have a PLAN to entice other businesses of quality to our town.

Town Council has little or nothing to do with these types of things.. It's up to Main Street & the Chamber of Commerce.. Talk to them about a plan.

The store is Halal and Kosher, and it provides a wide range of foreign and domestic products. I stopped by there the other day, and it actually looks very good. There are Italian Food items, Greek, European in General, Indian, Middle Eastern as Well as American food Products. What is wrong with a little diversity. I grew up down the street from there, on Monument and Linden "b/c others are scared to say where they are from" and I welcome such establishment. I rather see business open rather than stay closed.

Would there be the same outcry if a Jewish Deli opened?

My husband, daughter and I stopped into the Felucca market this evening to check it out. As soon as we walked in we welcomed them and there business to Hatboro, not knowing at this point the amount of bigotry that existed on this post. I would recommend this market it had alot of diverse and well priced products!! The people inside are very friendly!!!
I am very mad by most of the posts above I have lived here in Hatboro all of my life (41 years) I didnt move here I grew up here got married here bought a house here and raise my 2 children in Hatboro. It sickens me that people have so much bigotry and hatred in the 2012 for what they don't understand about others cultures and beliefs. I have a comment for you "the infidel" don't come into the town I have grown up in and lived "all" my life and hide behind a an anymomous name and spout hatred if you have the guts then use your real name so all your neighbors will know what a bigot looks like!!!!!
My name is Kathy Parker!!

"THE.......... AND THE.................. ARE ALL RIGHT BUT WE DONT WANT THE IRISH"
BLAZING SADDLES now there is a movie for you.I stoped in the market the other day, nice place.

I am business owner and a Hatboro Resident. Felucca is our new neighbor and we are happy to look out our window and see a nice clean store with nice signs instead of a vacant vacuum cleaner store. My husband and daughter went in there yesterday and gave it great reviews. And to Ali, who I introduced myself too a few days before the store opened to wish him luck, most people in this town are great people. Don't let the opinions of a few narrow minded people, ruin your joy and pride in your new endeavor and best of luck as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjFSi1AZTq8&feature=em-share_video_user

Is this Hatboro's future?

http://www.barenakedislam.com/2012/10/05/sweden-mosque-to-blast-eardrum-shattering-muslim-call-to-prayer-which-will-be-heard-for-miles-in-any-direction/

"One of the most beautiful sounds on earth."
"Barack Hussein Obama
Really? Sounds like a call to war to me.
Coming to Hatboro soon?

Can't believe all the negative things I read about the meat market.
Unless your a native American you roots came from some foreign land also. PS- food for thought, with all the churches in Hatboro why no Roman Catholic one ?

You are putting your collective liberal heads "in the sand" so to speak. I can't speak for all comments, but my concern is not that he is from a foreign land.
All of our ancestors are, and even so-called Native Americans came from somewhere!
It's what this represents and means for the future of Hatboro..
What is HALAL meat? How is it slaughtered? In whose name and why? Is it safe to eat?
Halal meats conform to Sharia (Islamic) law. What is Sharia Law? What does it mean for America? For Muslims and non-Muslims? Look at western Europe, or Dearborn(istan), MI, and you will see a preview!
Do your own research.
(Real) Peace to all.

What hate? Where? Ignorant? I assure you I know much more about Islam and Sharia Law than any poster on this board. Close-minded? How so? Because I speak the truth and sometime it's not pretty? What "race" is Islam? It's not. But the truth is political Islam, sharia law, is worth examining, as it pertains to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Yes, we have freedom here. In Islam there is NO freedom. It means submission. We welcome all to live and grow in peace. But sharia law trumps civil law in Islam and is incompatible with our Constitution. So, how do we reconcile that? The only hate I see is coming from you toward me. I don't hate Muslims or any people! Indeed, Muslims, especially women and children, are victims of sharia too.I urge everyone to look into halal, sharia and political Islam for themselves.

Nice, Eve, worry about my name, but let's forget about all the women and children suffering under the brutality of sharia law. Female genital mutilation anyone? Coming to a town near you, maybe even Hatboro!

www.thereligionofpeace.com