"but some were looking at automotive facilities – which are not permitted under the existing zoning, he said." -Not Permitted? Excellent!
So there was no fear by Boro Council in denying that zoning change!
Let's remember that when/if the Wawa Zoning Change Vote comes up!

Trader Joe's would be an excellent addition to our town - one can only hope it will be a quality business for small town America.

I thought that if Wawa needed to have a second property, I'd rather see it at the Big Marty's location rather than at Horsham and York Rds.

A rent to own business will only enforce the issue our town is having. First was the tatoo places, then it was the cash for gold, now its a roll your own smoke shop. I suggest hatboro also looks into getting a few firearms businesses in town as well as a check cashing store and a few liquor shops as well.

What happens if aarons, who leases furniture opens? What happens to Gamburgs furniture? Its one thing to fill a empty building, its another to look at how it will impact other businesses.

I think a furniture rental place would do well. It would cater to all the section 8 renters that live in the nearby apartments

is there a list of the 50 new businesses?

Someone whispered the Trader Joe's rumor at the Hatboro Residents' Association meeting we had last week and the crowd went wild with enthusiasm. Almost everyone there -- about 65 residents of all ages -- said a Trader Joes would serve the residents of the community. Many of us apparentely drive down to Jenkintown on a regular basis to shop at that fun discount store. I hear they make a great employer too and treat their employees really well.

I think the sale of the Big Marty's is a great thing however it would be nice to have some sort of idea of what is going to be put in there. I would hope that is it not a business that the town already has in it, for example Hatboro doesn't need an other Pizza Shop, not that Big Marty's would house that but we need to have new business, not take away from the business' already there. I had a business meeting set up with Stephen Barth to go over things in regards for my business and he didn't show up, called him and no return call back, this over 2 weeks ago.

I hope it's a 7-11. Hatboro can use a 7-11

At Kathleen Steve Barth has not called back because he is too busy negotiating the wawa deal and i would sure too like to see the businesses because I can't seem to see where there are 50 new businesses in hatboro. And to all the problem is the main street manager is striving for quantity not quality. Someone should ask what he is paid to put this crap in our backyards. I do not want to see a rent to own store. I want to see a trader joes.

I think Big Marty's should be a pawn shop. I can fence my stolen goods and then spend the money at WaWa hoagie fest.

Big Marty's should end up a Mosque. With all the traditional faiths represented by churches in town, what about Muslim folks? I guess Hatboro doesn't care about diversity.

More quality Hatboro businesses! There are VERY few new stores/businesses in the borough that I would ever set foot in. This town is not heading in the right direction, and as a tax paying resident, that is disappointing!

Keyser... Pawn shop?? How about a Porn shop.. Big Marty's is more than enough space for an adult movie theater. Lets add that to the cultural activities in our borough.
We can hold real adult fests there.. Who needs a circus or carnival.. We can do it all there & more. Mr. Barth, call me 1-888 667-3739

Municipalities can't deny permits to retailers it dubs "lower-end" (Aaron's Rental), or give preference to "higher-end" retailers (Gamburg Furniture). If the zoning permits a retail use and if the applicant meets zoning, the municipality engages in discriminatory actions if it favors one applicant another applicant.

Big Marty's would make a nice, big, Pawn and Used Guns after Aarons is scared away, and after HRA defeats Wawa, a porn shop can move into one of those vacant properties. Maybe a behavioral center for troubled youths can take the other (some truth to that based on previous interest). The Old Mill will end up just a parking lot as the building is filled with mold and nobody but Wawa, thus far, has shown financial interest in saving it. OR, maybe Boro will entertain HRA and somehow buy it. They can raise taxes to maintain the mold infested mess in the flood zone. All our problems will be solved. And as long as we all support our businesses and buy a $30 dog leash in town instead of $12 at Walmart, the business district will improve.

If Hatboro Borough residents want to live in a town with a Trader Joes they need to move to Media Borough. Hatboro doesn't have the demographics TJ looks for. Hatboro yokels are funny. Watching you guys on this message board is like watching a 300 pound woman shop for size 6 jeans. You are living in a dream world.

Enterprising Ed- No no, the adult movie theater/ gentlemen's club needs to go into the old Closet Works. Big picture my friend. I mean, we are trying to serve our demographic here. It just seems that some folks have a hard time embracing the demographic of the town.

We should have a Cinco de Mayo parade

Main street hatboro is a mess the list provided is a lie half these businesses have been here longer than mr. Barth. I visited a couple of these businesses and was told they never heard of mr. Barth. So what exactly does mr. Barth do for his 60 thousand dollars a year, I guess as George said it in an earlier comment yea mr. Barth you are smart you collect a huge paycheck, lie about what do and force us to have to look at businesses like aarons and wawa, thanks does your hometown look like this, don't think so!

I think a strip joint and adult book store are looking better each day.

Ohhhh, the humanity!

To the HRA. Since you are now an organized group and seeking status. I suggest you retain legal counsel. The likelihood of putting the association /individuals at tort risk is possible. You can’t block a business just because it does not meet your collective standards. BTW I understand the borough might be getting a massage parlor soon!

Ms katalinas main streets comment doesn't appear offensive at all, maybe you should check your facts before writing. Maybe your editor should check your work. By the way Personal attacks seem to be the norm in the hatboro horsham patch.

Any steady and reputable business would be a welcomed addition to our town.

In what circles do you travel that equate Hatboro to those towns? I respectfully disagree, the socio-economics are not even on the same planet. In no way, shape, or form, does Hatboro resemble those towns. Maybe you can make it after you evict 3/4 of its residents and set up a system of not allowing building owners to try to fill their buildings. I'm sorry, little Hatboro tucked in between the south end of Warminser and Willow Grove is light years away from being those other towns you mentioned, and it is never going to be. Like it or not, Hatboro is toward the lower end of middle class while Doylestown, Newtown, and New Hope are toward the upper end and reap the benefit of the local tax on its residents. These is a tremendous difference in tax base between households making 100k+ and living in homes assessed at over 1/2 a million as opposed to households making 60k and renting a shoebox apartment.

Sorry, but those are the breaks. I also believe in relative deprivation. The people of this town are perfectly happy in their lives until people begin comapre then to Doylestown and such. Then they realize what they are "missing" something. Don't be the guy to make people feel like less by shoe horning your idealogy on others.

Compare main street towns:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Hatboro-Pennsylvania.html
http://www.city-data.com/city/Jenkintown-Pennsylvania.html
http://www.city-data.com/city/Doylestown-Pennsylvania.html
http://www.city-data.com/city/New-Hope-Pennsylvania.html

Okay everyone, it's time to put on y our thinking caps. Successful businesses need to cater to the people that are in their community. Time to put in some research instead of just blabbing over the internet. What is the median house value between Hatboro and Doyelstown borough? What is the median family income between Upper Moreland Township and Warminster Township (both of which surrounds Hatboro) compared to the median family income of Doylestown Township?

Let me know what you find. Do you still believe that Doylestown Borough and Hatboro Borough are so alike and cater to the same crowd?