Blog readers are backing a grocery store at the former Drug Fair that closed last week on St. Georges Avenue, according to our latest poll.
In this nj.com report last week, there are two potential tenants in negotiations for the almost 14,000-square-foot space that takes up almost a quarter of the Drug Fair Shopping Center. There’s plenty of parking on site but Rahway Farm already sits next door and it’s not bad for a small grocery store.
As we’ve discussed previously, a Trader Joe’s — much less a Whole Foods — might be nice but seems like a long shot at best. Keep in mind also, as as competition for retail, the empty A&P store on Westfield Avenue in Clark is but two minutes away.
“What would you like to see replace Drug Fair?”
Grocery store, 51 percent (45/87 votes)
Bakery, 13 percent (12/87)
Bar/restaurant, 12 percent (11/87)
BYOB restaurant, 6 percent (6/87)
Pet store, 5 percent (5/87)
Home decor, 2 percent (2/87)
Shoe store, 2 percent (2/87)
Other, 2 percent (2/87)
Stationary shop, 0 percent (0/87)
The 0.8-acre property was assessed at almost $2.7 million in 2008 and paid nearly $132,000 last year, according to state property records. The landlord is Millburn-based Gelber Associates.
I tried to include store choices that were mentioned in the Rahway Survey but that didn’t do much for stationary shop. Anyone care to share their choice of “other,” a liquor store perhaps? The space is large enough, and probably too large in some cases, for most of these choices. A BYOB restaurant would avoid dealing with acquiring a liquor license, but I just don’t see it for that site.
And just in case you don’t have your fill of drug stores, construction on another Walgreen is under way on St. Georges Avenue in Colonia, barely two miles from the Rahway store.
IMHO, the site is too small for a supermarket, and supermarkets generally can be rather unsightly – just visit Pathmark in Avenel or ShopRite in Linden to see the mess of plastic grocery bags and shopping carts that litter a faceless asphalt parking lot.However, if Pinho’s Bakery of Roselle is looking for a second location in Rahway, Drug Fair may be ideal. Larry, get on the phone and call them…I need a cannoli fix!
Pinho’s would be great. The building was too small years ago when it was a Shoprite grocery store and it’s to small today.
A Pinho's would be Fantastic, I hate their lack of parking and there's not a decent bakery around here. I could use a Sunday morning run that's only 2 mins from home.But a Trader's Joe would be great also.
I don't think Trader Joe would be interested in a robust economy. Not to say it wouldn't be nice.
Certainly the space isn't big enough for a modern-day supermarket, just look at the size of the Clark or Linden ShopRites. As someone suggested in the previous discussion, perhaps something on a smaller scale like Aldi. Though that would seem to be in direct competition to the neighboring Rahway Farm.Seems a bakery would be a good fit if you can find one.
no more liquor stores ! they took the liquor stores out of downtown and it cleaned up immediately. why in the world would we want to open them back up on the other side of town ? i could only imagine what would be going on in the woods out in back of the place. how about an ace hardware ? the one in colonia seems to do good.