Poll Results: Chathamites Want a Restaurant
Residents prefer one with the township's new liquor license.
The Committee hasn't yet formally created a third consumption (C) liquor license, but residents already know where they want it to go.
shows 71 out of 110 readers want to see a restaurant in the empty storefront in the Chatham Mall, formerly occupied by Drug Fair.
Nancy "Taz" Brower agreed with two commenters from the poll who wanted to see a Cracker Barrel in the space.
"Cracker Barrel is an interesting thought. They have everything. They have a marvelous gift shop, along with their dining room. ... I just can't imagine it just a plain restaurant, it's such a large space," she said.
Another 34 people who took Chatham Patch's poll said they would like to see a department store that could take up the entire storefront. Brower liked the idea of a "small department store. There isn't anything else like that in the area," she said.
Miranda Cogswell, a resident of Chatham Township for more than 16 years, said she would like to see a Trader Joe's or an Indoor Sports Pavilion.
"All the parents in Chatham drive to the nearest [Indoor Sports Pavilion], which is in Randolph. It's such a huge drive," she said. "Chatham, Madison, Summit parents, we're all driving to Randolph endlessly."
Bailey Brower Jr., a member of the Chatham Township Committee, said he was unsure a restaurant would be a good fit for the space.
"My caveat is that the place is pretty large for a single restaurant. ... If they split it down the middle and they had two storefronts, that might be a good draw."
As for the liquor license, Brower is confident it will not go unused. "That license got dangled, somebody's going to jump," he said.
Andrew
2:38 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
BUFFALO WILD WINGS. They are looking to open in Morris County which they haven't done.. It would be a brilliant idea Chatham Township is just too quiet and would help the local economies!!
Joann Carroll
8:20 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I would love to see a teen center for ages +13 in some of the space. Food court, arcade, pool, ping pong, star theatre for viewing not only movies but specials like the super bowl, batting cages, hoops courts and more. Simply a place for teens to be safe and hang out without being told to leave by local businesses that are trying to run a business not host teens after school and on weekends.
Jennifer
10:52 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
A Cracker Barrel? I don't think we need a Cracker Barrel in Chatham. A nice restaurant, a nice store, a gym or center with activities are all nice ideas. That space has been so many different things so hopefully it's something that can be sustained long term.
Julia
12:04 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I think there are enough gyms in the area, some of them closing due to lack of interest! A teen center would be nice but I'm not sure teens would go there, plus, it would really only be used on the weekends due to school hours. Can't keep a business running only on the weekends! Cut the space down the middle...half restaurant, half department store of some kind. I'm still for Cracker Barrel!
heretoolong
1:03 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
make an ice rink out of it.
Captain Jack
1:25 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Trader Joe's would be perfect and they could sell wine. Cracker Barrell is fuddy duddy and we already have charlie browns.