Poll Results: Chathamites Want a Restaurant

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.