Empty Storefronts in Middletown

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What the heck is going on in Middletown? It looks like the town is shutting down. There a so many businesses that have closed and so many more are for lease or rent. Betsy Ross Farm Market and the Gulf station at Wilson Ave., Crustini (a pizza place), Werner Dodge, Enterprise Rent A Car, Bath Fitters and Ryan’s Ice Cream on Highway 36 have all closed within the last year. The Depot Inn closed and the Wild Scallion has been closed for years. These businesses are within 2 miles of each other! In the Junction, the Getty station closed as did the cigar store, the nail salon and the children’s consignment store. The old Shell gas station across from Carvel on Leonardville Rd has been abandoned for decades and is a disgrace to our town.
Head over to Highway 35 and you will see that Pathmark, Steak and Ale, Friendly’s, Pizza Hut and the Two River Bank are closed. There are other businesses closed too, including but not limited to Bayshore Music Center and the old Hess station by Carraba’s that was abandoned decades ago. These closed businesses are among the MULTIPLE for Sale/Lease/Rent properties in town.
So what the heck is going on in Middletown? What’s going on has everything to do with the Republican leadership for the past 20 plus years. Their lack of vision and deficit of business sense is shutting down Middletown. Will the last one out please shut off the lights?
Paul J Jansen
Middletown