Mara's closed??

Maybe, but anyone who opens a business in downtown SO expecting scores of affluent commuters to walk by every day is gonna be disappointed.    

Perhaps it was the competition  from the new bookstore/cafe that drove Mara's under.

Those commuters are there.  They work long days, leave very early, come home "late" by suburban standards and currently have no reason to stop in downtown SO (Dunkin Donuts? Bunnies? Gas Light?) - so they keep on going.

mbaldwin said:

ms_cooper said:

A couple of weeks ago, we took our kids to Friendly's.  They wanted grilled cheese and ice cream sundaes whilst they colored thier placemats, etc.  Had to go to Morristown.  It was crowded with kids but it was what it was.  Wasn't trying to be hip.  Wasn't trying to serve artesenal cheese.  Just decent short-order fare and ice cream. 

I wish there was a place like this in our two towns.  

Also, I've been to Sweet Basil's in Livingston and think a place like that would do well.  Great lunches and breakfasts.  

Hope whoever moves on to that place or Highland Place, etc. succeeds.

Why wouldn't Parkwood (or any other good diner) fit the bill?  

They do.  Trust me of it weren't for our local diners, Bunny's and the Gate, my family would starve.  

I'm just saying that maybe we need a spot to take kids and their friends to after a movie.  After a sports game, etc. 

Growing up, I remember going to Holstens, The Bunny Hop, Swensen's, Don's, et. al., for those types of meals (and Grunnings, of course, for very special treats!)

I would think our two towns could definitely sustain a business like this.  

I always wonder why The Garage in Millburn didn't survive.

I'm a commuter.  I often stop in Tito's, Village Trat, Pandang and others so no clue what KMK is talking about.  And I often go with others.  Once a month we meet at Ricaltons or Above for drinks.  

I think Garage really suffered from a lack of parking. Or at least, it was a deterrent to me.

Bunny's is the ultimate stop-in off the train IMO. 

Is that place actually open? I know they have a big sign in the window saying they are open, but whenever I drive by, they seem to be closed.

Klinker said:

Perhaps it was the competition  from the new bookstore/cafe that drove Mara's under.

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relx said:

Is that place actually open? I know they have a big sign in the window saying they are open, but whenever I drive by, they seem to be closed.

Klinker said:

Perhaps it was the competition  from the new bookstore/cafe that drove Mara's under.

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The business model is puzzling.

I think a place like this could do well in our area if there is a large enough space to support it: http://stocktonfarmmarket.com/

or this... http://www.chelseamarket.com/

rhw said:

or this...http://www.chelseamarket.com/

Or this. Let's get this!

imonlysleeping said:

rhw said:

or this...http://www.chelseamarket.com/

Or this. Let's get this!

Think about how many tourists we'd get with this? But would there be enough repeat business?

I personally feel that the left handed knitting community is very underserved and a store that carried only left handed knitting patterns would do very well in town. In fact, if done right South Orange could become shining beacon, drawing in left handed knitters from all over the state. 

Or perhaps a Diet Snapple store that carries only Diet Snapple. 

jasper said:

I think a place like this could do well in our area if there is a large enough space to support it: http://stocktonfarmmarket.com/

I have eaten there and thought the same thing that it would work here and we have plenty of empty spaces--I'm looking at you Blockbuster! And Stockton is a tiny town compared to SO

Student_Council said:

Or perhaps a Diet Snapple store that carries only Diet Snapple. 

Well, not only diet Snapple. If they also carry Tru Root Beer then I most certainly would shop in such an establishment.  

What about a free-cupcakes-and-massages place? Why don't we just put one of those in there? Everyone likes free cupcakes and massages. Would be huge.

Only if there are ponies.  Free ponies.

a Vernors only store.

spontaneous said:

Student_Council said:

Or perhaps a Diet Snapple store that carries only Diet Snapple. 

Well, not only diet Snapple. If they also carry Tru Root Beer then I most certainly would shop in such an establishment.  

How about Spatula City:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XbCWmY0eqY

Are we just throwing ideas out now? How about a cat cafe? 

afa said:

Are we just throwing ideas out now? How about a cat cafe? 

I'll crawl out of my sick bed for that one!! Greatest idea! And spend TONS of money (and kitty kibble!)

Maplewood Post Office Museum?

Chipotle

With a gastroenterology clinic next door.

qrysdonnell said:

Maplewood Post Office Museum?

Keep that ***** out of our town and this thread. 

mrincredible said:

qrysdonnell said:

Maplewood Post Office Museum?

Keep that ***** out of our town and this thread. 

*****?  Really?  Every time I am in Maplewood Village I can't help but get choked up by the sheer mid century beauty of the Maplewood Post Office. South Orange only wishes they had such a classic structure in their town.

love it. sold.

qrysdonnell said:

Maplewood Post Office Museum?

ArchBroad said:

love it. sold.

qrysdonnell said:

Maplewood Post Office Museum?

But in keeping true to the spirit of South Orange it will be a replica and we'll stick the town with the bill for erecting it.