New eateries enliven Riverdale Ave., celebrating Spring in the "Got BX'd" heart of NoMa/Riverdale

For many years Riverdale, located just North of Manhattan (NoMa), has been known as a dining destination because of its not 1, not 2 but 3 multi-ethnic and kosher restaurant rows, but whose residents none-the-less kvetched (whined) about the boredom of nowhere to go and nothing-to-do...but...Oh, how times have changed! Overnight, Riverdale Ave. has developed into the best and liveliest dessert capital of the Bronx! So check it out: Palombo's authentic Italian Bakery & Café; The Corner Café for Glatt Kosher pastries, ice crème, and dairy entrees; shop at Shoshi’s Market for Israeli treats prepared foods and fresh juice bar; get cozy at The Greek Express for old world honey nut delights, and there's more! Riverdale Ave. has taken on a new attitude brimming with people walking, not holding a cup of coffee, but now decidedly opting to be cool fressing/devouring a so cool shake or frozen yogurt sundae in hand, better for strolling to the sounds of classic rock 'n roll that now embellishes the Ave. thanks to brothers Mario and Arian Curanaj. The menu at their hip new roadside style burger joint called Yo-Burger features natural fresh Black Angus burgers, fresh daily Veggie burgers and Hebrew National hot dogs, and to the knowing has become the unofficial official town center gathering hot spot for all: students, singles, families, couples, seniors and the business community just depending on the time of day...always fast moving bustling from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The Curanaj's first eatery, Salvatore's of SoHo first expanded their pizza shop/restaurant by creating Riverdale Ave.'s first al fresco venue with bright lights and all the trimmings. It's been a long eight years since any new "mall" developments of big box retailers has come to the greater Riverdale/ Kingsbridge-NoMa area along the older commercial corridor of Broadway under the # 1 "El" subway. Target's first store in the Bronx is located at the Riverdale Shopping Center on West 225th St. which opened back in 2004 with a 156,000 s/f of space, was originally the site of a school uniform factory. Surrounding all three projected developments are family owned new American immigrant retail shops, restaurants and businesses. The former site of the Stella D'oro cookie factory will become the Riverdale Crossing shopping center located on Broadway between West 236th St. and West 238th St. At this time the brand names businesses are not available, but in the works are two high-end national retailers and a bank that will occupy this 114,598 s/f mall. Another new retail only development named, Broadway Plaza will be located on West 230th St. and Broadway. Redevelopment of this 80,000 s/f city-owned property purposes a two story structure with four spaces that will be in total 115,063 s/f. Looking to develop opportunities in another "new" area of the Bronx known as Kingsbridge Heights and to others as "East Riverdale,"-Ok, don't laugh-this location is up the hill from Broadway, meaning to say, two blocks east of Broadway where West 225th St. takes on a name change and persona becoming: West Kingsbridge Rd. Travelling up this winding steep hill there are new mid-sized "affordable" housing units lining the avenue, older houses and prewar rentals. And on the top of the hill is The James J. Peters Veterans Medical Center, the second largest VA facility in the nation which is the highest point in New York City. The next complex is the Bronx Campus of the Jewish Home & Hospital for the Aged/Lifecare center and the Kittay House, a deluxe non kosher Jewish assisted living high-rise with fabulous New York City skyline views and a secure private park. The latest commercial site under consideration is the famed Kingsbridge Armory built in 1911 and designated as a city landmark in 1974 because of its outstanding military architecture. Proposals are now in play for this huge structure that would be an easy get-to destination for any new development being a convenient location to two subway lines, the #4 and D and buses to all ... So what are you waiting for? Come visit, take a tour, have a little to eat! If you're interested in NoMa properties to buy or rent-contact me. Hey, it's Spring, time to Get BX'd ...Hooya! Susan Lynne Seidner Chasky, GRI, ABR, SRES, is an associate broker at Exclusive Properties Sotheby's International Realty, Riverdale, N.Y.