With school out for the summer, some jobs transitioned to summer hours and folks off from work, many Pelham residents have more time to enjoy the downtown area. Here are some ideas for what the Village of Pelham needs so residents can enjoy an even better experience in the central business district?

Local Bookstore

Right now, stores such as Tig and Peach and Richard’s Passport on Wolfs Lane sell toys and clothing to Pelham residents. A bookstore would be a great addition. Many Pelham residents, from young to old, enjoy reading. The activity is beneficial to educating young minds and can help fight the rising addiction to cell phones. A bookstore could be a fun, relaxing place to stop in if furnished nicely. Such a retailer, if it also offered sweet treats and a play area for younger children, could encourage people to support more of the other businesses downtown. Currently, on Wolfs Lane and Fifth Avenue, there is a deli, multiple restaurants, a bubble tea shop and a child play space. Why not add a bookstore?

Health Food Market

Pelham needs a health food store—at least one smaller, family-owned market that sells foods to nourish you and boost your fitness. Some examples of other towns that have such retailers include Bronxville (Bronxville Natural) and Scarsdale (Natural Market). Pelham’s weekly farmer’s market isn’t enough to provide dietary-conscious food options. There is a space for sale: The Pelham Bakery location at 121 Fifth Ave. would be a great place to open a health food retailer that offers more than the average grocery store and allows residents to shop local and live a healthier lifestyle. 

Quick-Pit Stops (That Are Not Fast Food)

Pelham’s downtown has plenty of sit-down restaurants for locals to enjoy. What it needs are more quick grab-and-go options that aren’t fast food, since Mount Vernon already has a McDonald’s, Burger King and Wingstop. Bronxville has both Playa Bowls and Bango Bowls: Two healthy restaurant options that don’t require an hour of your time. Bronxville also has a Root and Vine Juice Bar, while New Rochelle offers multiple juice shops, including My Juice Bar NY and I Got the Juice. In Scarsdale, you’ll find Sweetgreen and Chopt—salad bars that allow you to get your order within minutes. With all the new apartment construction happening on Fifth Avenue, there will be available street-level space for such quick-meal and juice spots.

Do you agree with these options or have other ideas? Leave a comment down below.