Over the past couple of decades, coffee shops have transformed into vital “third places,” whether it was the influence of Starbucks of the rise (and eventual fall) of Barnes & Noble.
Continue reading Poll: What’s your favorite coffee in Rahway?
Tag Archives: coffeehouse
Wine bar in the works for Main Street space
A one-time shoe store and later a banquet hall on Irving Street Main Street that has changed hands a couple times in recent years is expected to be transformed into a wine bar.
Continue reading Wine bar in the works for Main Street space
Planning Board approves 45 units for East Cherry
The Planning Board unanimously approved a 45-unit, five-story apartment complex that will remake the north side of East Cherry Street, replacing three buildings of no more than three stories.
Continue reading Planning Board approves 45 units for East Cherry
Eatery targeted for East Cherry Street space
A vacant East Cherry Street storefront is on tap to be transformed into a new eatery in the coming weeks.
Continue reading Eatery targeted for East Cherry Street space
Java Shop opens on Irving
In the works for months, The Java Shop opened downtown this week.
Poll results: two clear leaders for retail options
Almost 100 votes in our latest poll and two clear leaders finished ahead, with a pretty close third, among the 10 options:
What store would you like to see downtown?
Specialty food store — 23 percent, 21/91
Bakery/bagel shop — 21 percent, 20/91
Coffee shop — 16 percent, 15/91
Liquor store/wine shop — 8 percent, 8/91
Butcher — 8 percent, 8/91
Bar/restaurant — 7 percent, 7/91
Other — 6 percent, 6/91
Books/news/magazines — 4 percent, 4/91
Art/art supply — 2 percent, 2/91
Clothing — 0 percent, 0/91
Furniture — 0 percent, 0/91
So, it looks like you all want a specialty food store, bakery/bagel shop, and coffee shop the most. While most of you seem to want a grocery store, a specialty food store could be an interesting draw. Any suggestions exactly? I would think it’s key to have shops that might not be found elsewhere, and that could mean “specialty” just about anything.
Most of the choices in our latest poll could very well be combined into the same shop; a bakery that has bagels, and a nice coffee house space, and maybe specialty foods? Of course, just recently there was a bakery/pastry shop downtown but it didn’t last; so is it a matter of people saying they want something, but practically speaking, not using or patronizing it? I still think we’re desperate for a good bagel shop downtown, as well as a liquor store/wine shop — and not the kind that were downtown before. A liquor store would make a great complement to BYO restaurants.
What were some of your options for the six “other” votes? It’s clear that readers don’t want a clothing store or furniture store. Kind of surprising to be honest, as was the art/art supply choice. I mean, if it’s an arts town, you’d think and art or art supply shop would work, and in the same vein, perhaps an artsy type of specialty furniture store. Know what I mean? After all, the Rahway Survey (remember that?) recommended a strategy of recruiting retail related to arts and entertainment.
Free free to discuss in the comments below.
Aromalicious by Christmas
A Portuguese bakery and cafe is coming to East Cherry Street within the next week. Aromalicious will be open by Christmas, according to the signs in the windows of 85 E. Cherry St. Renovations had been ongoing at the site since the summer.
Readers of the blog often have expressed a desire for a local bakery downtown. The results of the Rahway Survey from several years ago indicated support for a bakery, among other things, and there was quite a discussion about a bakery after Drug Fair vacated their spac
e on St. Georges Avenue.
International Pastry, now in Clark, was located along East Cherry Street about a decade ago, and not far from this location, American Jubilee, a dessert shop/bakery operated at 88 E. Cherry (most recently an art gallery) until about five years ago.
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Kind of a scary story from The New York Times on Friday (“A ‘Shadow Inventory’ Dampens Winter Market”): A “shadow inventory” of 41 months worth of homes to sell that aren’t even on the market yet because they’re in the foreclosure process. “More northerly, urban parts of the state are in less dire straits.”
Kataluma Chai closes up shop
Kataluma Chai Company closed as of Sunday, lasting less than a year at its Main Street location. The coffeehouse opened in October 2009 at 1470 Main St., subleasing about 650 square feet from the neighboring Niece’s Pieces, at the corner of Main and Lewis streets.
An announcement was posted in the windows of Kataluma Chai on Sunday (click image below to enlarge):
Dear Customers,
We regret to inform you that Kataluma Chai officially closed its doors on Sunday, September 26th. We appreciate all of the support you have given us over the past year. It has been our pleasure to serve you, and as annew business in downtown Rahway, we thank you for your warm welcome. We hope that you will continue to support local businesses during these tough economic times. Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely,
Kataluma Chai Owners
sales@katalumachainj.com