peter kafash
The turnaround could offer a glimmer of hope for the darkened theater and for Independence Plaza. The South Broad Street shopping center lost its two anchor tenants — Destinta and a Superfresh grocery store — in the past seven months. <br /> <br />It’s one of several plazas in Hamilton to see occupancy rates tank in the past few years. <br />Michael Angarone, Hamilton’s economic development director, said he is hopeful a theater replacement can draw in new businesses. <br /> <br />“It’s a good thing, especially in that area where they’ve had some stores closing,” said Angarone. “Hopefully, it’ll be a catalyst for some other things.” <br /> <br />Down the street, construction has also started on a Bottom Dollar discount food store at a the site of a long-vacant Pathmark. <br /> <br />Kafash and his brother, company president Ben Kafash, said they, too, want customers back at Independence Plaza. <br /> <br />To do that, they’ve come up with what they believe is a winning business strategy: offering movie tickets at bargain-basement prices.