Citing a need to update the city’s way finding signage, City Council awarded $75,000 contract for engineering services.
Continue reading City awards way finding sign design contract
Tag Archives: Routes 1/9
Planning Board approves Arooga’s franchise
An Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar franchise received Planning Board approval to be built adjacent to the Home2Suites on East Milton Avenue near Paterson Street and Routes 1/9.
Planning Board approves cannabis dispensary
The Planning Board paved the way for a former fast food restaurant to become the city’s first retail cannabis dispensary – including a drive-through for pickup only.
Continue reading Planning Board approves cannabis dispensary
Council revises retail cannabis regulations
In a nearly unanimous vote, City Council approved changes to regulations governing retail dispensaries as residents near a potential cannabis retail location raised concerns primarily about traffic.
Continue reading Council revises retail cannabis regulations
Council amends redevelopment plan for hotel restaurant
City Council adopted changes to a redevelopment plan that would conform to a concept to build a restaurant adjacent to a hotel near Routes 1&9.
Continue reading Council amends redevelopment plan for hotel restaurant
Restaurant sought for Routes 1/9 hotel
Owners of a Routes 1&9 hotel that received approval to also build a free-standing restaurant more than a decade ago have lined up a franchise with plans to build an eatery.
Former Burger King could become wine shop
A former Burger King property on Routes 1/9 received use variances that would allow a liquor store and office space on the property.
11: Skeptical of Supermarkets
One of the most frequent conversations among readers is about bringing a supermarket to downtown Rahway. It’s been the subject of the occasional reader poll and there was even a campaign five years ago to lobby Trader Joe’s to open in town.
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That’s not to say there aren’t options in and around downtown Rahway. The Cherry Street Market has been around a long time. There’s also Universal Meat Supermarket on Elizabeth Avenue and Rahway Farm in the Deals Plaza on St. Georges Avenue, a half-mile from downtown.
Matt Casey of Rahway-based Matthew P. Casey and Associates has been analyzing supermarket retail for more than 30 years. He helps open new grocery stories, conducting feasibility studies on a geographic area, studies the best places to build a story and projects how much business a store might do.
I spoke with Casey for a blog post in 2017 and it was among the most popular posts that year. I thought it would make for a good podcast episode to revisit the supermarket conversation with him. We talked back in October as I was brainstorming ideas for podcast episodes and not much has changed. We discussed the local options in and around Rahway and why it’s so difficult to attract one to Rahway..
We also discussed the cult of Trader Joe’s, the rise of home delivery during COVID and its short- and long-term impact on the supermarket industry, and what a Rahway market would have to do to compete. “If I’m doing a supermarket study for an individual who wants to open a supermarket in downtown Rahway — or anywhere — my first question is going to be what are you going to do different, what are you going to offer the customer that’s unique or different that’s going to change a customer’s mind from ordering from Walmart” and having it delivered to your door within two hours.
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