What Should Go Here?

Oceanport's new Village Center, which will include 35,000 square feet of retail space, is expected to open its doors in 2014 but not 100 yards away sits an existing strip of commercial space that is just begging to be filled.

Oceanport Plaza, built along East Main Street about four decades ago, boasts a number of empty storefronts that at one point held staples for small-town living like an ice cream shop and a video store.

In July, Mayor Michael Mahon told Patch, "We would encourage the owners (of Village Center) to take advantage of activity at the fort and Monmouth Park as the local economy improves and redevelopment opportunities stimulate investment in their property." Our call to Teicher Realty, the company that owns and manages Oceanport Plaza, was not returned.

All this got us wondering, was Oceanport Plaza ever really a viable retail asset for the community? Share your memories of how things used to be and tell us what you think would help revive this downtown staple in the comments section.