Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES II, III & IV • July 31, 2013 Legends owner buys Pete’s Corner building One of the owners of Legends Steakhouse in Midland Park purchased the former Pete’s Corner Luncheonette building in the Wortendyke section of town in a Sheriff’s sale last week. Legends closed in December following a lease dispute with the landlord and needed a location in town to reactivate its alcoholic liquor license. “It’s a homerun for us,” said Robert Corcoran Sr. of the purchase. “Now we won’t have to deal with a greedy landlord ever again.” He said the new business will lease the space from him. Corcoran said plans call for opening a liquor store and small bar with some tables for light fare but no full service restaurant. He said it is up to the zoning officer to decide exactly what will be allowed. The site is zoned for retail business, and the restaurant use is an existing non-con- forming operation there since at least the middle of the last century. The parking adjacent to it is owned by the town, with the driveway used as the access to the playground and the NJ Transit parking lot behind the building. Corcoran said the building, which has a couple of apartments on the second floor, will be gutted and remod- eled, and the new business, which will likely be known as Legends Pub & Spirits, should be ready to open before the holidays. Pete’s Corner closed unexpectedly in March after the business’ owner at the time failed to reach an agreement on purchasing the property with the finance company that held the $600,000 note on the building, which was in fore- closure. The luncheonette was popular with residents of all ages who patronized it, not only to eat, but also to see friends, share the latest gossip, or conduct business. On hearing of Corcoran’s purchase of the building to use for liquor sales, one regular Pete’s Corner patron said, “I hope they’ll also serve coffee.” Work begins on new office building in Wortendyke Work started last week on the construction of Atlan- tic Stewardship Bank’s new office building at the corner of Godwin and Myrtle avenues in Midland Park. Though approvals for the building were obtained in 2008, bank officials said the project is getting underway at this time because the bank has outgrown its commercial lending facility on Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne. The 6,390 sq. ft. building, which is in the B-1 business zone district, will be entirely occupied by the bank. The bank will relocate its commercial lending division and loan processing department to the new site. “We are pleased to bring more of our associates to the Borough of Midland Park, endorsing our commitment to the borough and its immediate surrounding commu- nities,” said Paul Van Ostenbridge, Atlantic Stewardship Bank president and CEO. “The new professional build- ing will enhance the neighborhood by complementing the row of like structures located at the northern section of Godwin Avenue,” he added. The two-story brick structure at 612 Godwin Avenue has been designed to match the bank’s corporate head- quarters next door, though the brick color will be slightly darker. A third level will be used for storage only under a deed restriction. The main entrance and parking lot will be located at the rear of the building, with the entrance driveway from Myrtle Avenue. A total of 25 parking spaces are pro- vided. Landscaping will be provided along the front line of Godwin Avenue, with a double row of planting along Myrtle Avenue and trees and shrubs interspersed through- out the parking area. A decorative windmill may be erected at the property similar to the one currently along- side the bank’s main office. The sidewalk will continue the streetscape design. Mechanical equipment will be located in the attic, and the building will be sprinklered. Atlantic Stewardship Bank originally received borough approval for a slightly larger building in January, 2007. The proposal failed to get Department of Environmental Pro- tection approval, however, due to the building’s proximity to the brook, so a brand new application was required. The structure now under construction was reduced in size and relocated closer to the front of the property, which resulted in the shift of most of the parking to the rear.