patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Poll Results: Chathamites Want a Restaurant

Residents prefer one with the township's new liquor license.

 
0 of 0
The closed Drug Fair in Chatham Township.
Photos (2)

Photos

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.

  • What business would you like to see in the old Drug Fair?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • A nice restaurant with the township's liquor license would be ideal!
        71 (64%)
    • A department store, it's such a large space and would bring business to the Chatham Mall.
        34 (30%)
    • Something else entirely (tell us what in the comments)
        5 (4%)
    Total votes: 110
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: Drug Fair and Liquor License
What do you think should go in the empty Drug Fair storefront? Tell us in the comments.

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!!

Reply

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.

Reply

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.

Reply

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!

Reply

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.

Reply

Leave a comment