by ellen shaughnessy, Happy New Year! Jan. 5, 2019
Free Bridge Realty listed some exciting brand new gleaming residential rentals on s. Main St. in Phillipsburg… When I first stepped inside these, it was so thrilling to see that a local investor would go to these lengths to create sophisticated modern rentals in Phillipsburg with nice high-end finishes like ceramic tile, stone counters, high-end appliances, new engineered wood floors, dedicated laundry, and motion-lit hallways with exposed brick and soaring 13′ ceilings… not all landlords invest in hiring an architect to see a renovation vision through properly.
Urban Chic! These residential units with exposed brick are at 518 s. Main St. and we also quickly rented 2 other beautiful new 2 bedroom rentals at 338 s. Main St. It was an uplifting experience to hear that these fresh new mod residences in downtown Phillipsburg are the enduring vision of my friend Will Dohe, an inspired friend and architect who sadly passed unexpectedly at 53, just before the holidays.
Two more modern-chic brand new 2 bedroom units were rented this spring, at 511 s. Main St. This detached brick building has a massive 2500 sq.ft. street-level space that is gutted and unfinished – awaiting your new business and perhaps even new home / or 3rd residential rental unit off the back. 511 s. Main St. mixed-use property is listed for sale at $375,000. Let your tenants help pay the mortgage here!
The ‘before and after’ is quite stunning in these two buildings. The former St. James convent at 518 so. Main st. now boasts six hip, and nothing short of heavenly top-notch residential units. Four of these feature a dedicated outdoor space, and each unit gets a parking space or two out back. 338 s. Main features a gorgeous retail/office space on the street level and is located in the UEZ (Urban Enterprise Zone), which offers some nice tax incentives to the business owner/their customers. Phillipsburg NJ has now also been named as one of the 13 cities in NJ as a NJ Opportunity Zone – I believe this stretches from the Free Bridge to the RR tressle at the ‘historic flats’ of s. Main St. in Phillipsburg, but please double-check with DJ the UEZ administrator at the city.
Across the street you will find a tried and true handy casual eatery that has been voted best breakfast & buffet by the 99.9 The Hawk, and #2 best burger in Warren County, on nj.com: Sullivan on the Main.
But wait – there’s more! As I hung out on the sidewalk near these gorgeous new rentals I chatted with a few local folks. We all notice a quiet but sure movement afoot, along Main St. There are a few more new boutique businesses quietly sprouting up along the Main corridor of downtown Phillipsburg.
Eureka! There are more encouraging signs of a Phoenix rising here on Main Street. This is a plant-based food restaurant that just opened in the handsome Mercantile space at 396 S Main St, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Phone: (844) 347-5268.
In addition to a Peruvian bodega along this stretch, there’s now more international flavor at new Mediterranean eatery: 
Greek Meat Guys. The restaurant looks very nice – haven’t been in yet but it’s definitely on this tzatziki fan’s list for a visit soon. 2020 UPDATE: Greek Meat guy has re-located across the river to 156 Northampton St. in Easton.
At 96 Sitgreaves St. just off Shappell Park you will now find a sweet new Around Again consignment shop with some higher-end merchandise for both men & women.
Hours are by appt, or on Wednesdays, Thurs, Fri. and every other Saturday: (908) 399-8268
Invertase micro-brewery just opened along Main St. in P’Burg near the waterfront at 55 Broad St. – a neat spot JUST off Main St. as you come sailing down the NJ edge into town, along the Delaware River.
Many steadfast trailblazers such as Joe’s Steaks (since 1938!), Soma grill & bar, Free Bridge Liquors, Rocco’s Pizza, Ponzi’s tailor shop, Ice Cream Junction, and the Lock Doctor have withstood the test of time here on the east coast of the Delaware, while a few others have come & gone…
The momentum right now seems to bode well for some staying power for these energetic entrepreneurs; here we go P’Burg, here we go!
This blog is hosted by Free Bridge Realty, freebridgerealty.com
Want to support more Phillipsburg local businesses? Many are in a directory here at the Phillipsburg Downtown Assn.
for Warren County events, subscribe to Warren County Wanderings.
….because we love living here, and so can you! sm
Check out these nice small business incentives in P’Burg:
- Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Benefits * DJ in the City of Phillipsburg is the local contact
- NJ Opportunity Zone map / and NJ Opportunity Zone info
- NJ economic development resources for small-mid sized business owners
- NJ announces that Phillipsburg is one of 13 ‘lease-assistance’ cities, to encourage small business. Garden State Growth Zone commercial lease incentive
Want to put some skin in the game? Check out the nice numbers here at the totally renovated 511 s. Main St. Phillipsburg NJ 08865 * Find it on freebridgerealty.com
6 thoughts on “p’Burg re-Surge!”
Excellent review of Phillipsburg and the sense of resurgence that the Town is experiencing. Mayor Ellis has worked hard to lay out plans for redevelopment of the Town. In 2016, the Town held a Design Charrette at the train station by the black bridge hosted by SoMa (Friday evening) and the train station by the black bridge (Saturday, thanks to Ken Miller). Over 40 citizens and a dozen professional architects and planners from the Rutgers Edward J. Bloustien School of Public Policy and Planning participated in the Design Charrette which was used to update the Phillipsburg Redevelopment Plans. It was felt that where reasonable, the history of the architecture should be kept. Additionally, the Design Charrette produced some concept designs to develop the riverfront down at Union Square. Historically, other cities and towns have unfortunately leap frogged Phillipsburg in the area of development of their riverfronts, like New Hope, Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown… The current Phillipsburg administration is looking to do its best to push forward and make Phillipsburg a true and significant riverfront destination for the enjoyment of both residents and tourists from around the region.
I am delighted to see this and read this!!
Why the false political statement? You couldn’t leave that out? Was it really necessary? No one is trying to thwart progress except Mayor Ellis. While new businesses are great, it does not improve the quality of life for existing residents. Mayor Ellis has flat out refused to enforce ordinances designed to eradicate the slumlord and unruly tenant problems. This should have been a positive post but it’s clear that the author is a friend of the Mayor, because he takes every opportunity possible to blame council for the fun of it. Our current council is working hard to improve life in Phillipsburg. The only one stopping that is Mayor Ellis.
Thank you for your comments… the intention of this article is meant to show signs of growth – there are a few more encouraging small businesses opening in Phillipsburg, and of course do not forget the established ones too.
Thanks for finally talking about >pBurg re-Surge!
| Easton Is Home <Loved it!
What’s up, just wanted to say, I liked this article.
It was practical. Keep on posting!