Rahway Rising

While I'm in full support of the Chamber, the ...

2012-02-18T10:14:04.347-05:00

While I'm in full support of the Chamber, the Arts, and Redevlopment for each has their own specific task; my vision to establish a community feel has to start with citizens, whether they want to open a business or contribute to the organization of at least starting with a co op supermarket as I mentioned before. All opinions, suggestions, and prior experience is more than welcomed...as long as everyone can place nice together. I've been witness to some ridiculous back drop stories of who doesn't get along with whom, blah blah blah--get over it...either we're all in this together, those of us who want to see this happen, or the people who aren't in favor of such a thing, then just don't be part of it; do what you think you need to do and do it, and I'm sure there's plenty of room for more than one vision, if we're respectful of one another's views, there will be absolutely no problems. It's that simple. Joe.

Of course! It's open to the public. We encoura...

2012-02-16T22:15:26.633-05:00

Of course! It's open to the public. We encourage involvement on any level. Please introduce yourself.

clea, can i come to the meeting? I don't have ...

2012-02-16T20:38:52.574-05:00

clea, can i come to the meeting? I don't have a business, well wait, the 4 family home is considered a business by the State, so techinically ya, I do:) lol. It's time to coordinate.

Tabula - my email address is info@cleacarchia.com....

2012-02-16T16:54:24.836-05:00

Tabula - my email address is info@cleacarchia.com. I'm Marketing Chairman for the Chamber. Email me your email address and I'll send you info from the Chamber. We LOVE volunteers!

Cleacarchia- I will be away on the 21th. Let me k...

2012-02-16T16:09:04.729-05:00

Cleacarchia- I will be away on the 21th. Let me know when the next one is. I would like to volunteer.

Since we have evolved from talking about grocery s...

2012-02-16T15:14:48.469-05:00

Since we have evolved from talking about grocery stores to ways to improve Rahway, I would like to invite everyone to the Rahway Chamber's next networking event - Tuesday the 21st at Cubanu from 6 to 7:30pm It's FREE! We are working very hard (all volunteer organization) to help improve this town. Find out more on our website. www.rahwaychamberofcommerce.com

Merck need's the money you remember VIOXX.

2012-02-16T15:12:04.486-05:00

Merck need's the money you remember VIOXX.

Not offensive at all. I moved here only a few yea...

2012-02-16T14:58:05.845-05:00

Not offensive at all. I moved here only a few years ago and I've been completely confused why a town such as this, one that as you say, as such lovely homes, and good proximity to the City, is struggling so much and can't seem to get a foothold and find it's identity. I lived on Main Street for 1-1/2 years, came there thinking it was going to be vibrant and instead it was dead and depressing. I purchased a home nearly 2 years ago near Roosevelt School, nice neighborhood, and this town really feels like "home" to me but the lack of amenities makes me crazy; or the ones that are here are of such low quality that I am forced to drive out of the area to get what I need elsewhere. Sometimes I wonder if I'm too picky but then I read comments like those posted here and realize that there are many others who have the same feelings as I do. I'll try my best to be there next week - hopefully my job won't hold me up.

@ Siveyaleah any time after 7 on the 24th @ LP. Th...

2012-02-16T14:49:30.097-05:00

@ Siveyaleah any time after 7 on the 24th @ LP.
This can happen in Rahway, why not? The large projects of building places for people to live have and are being done, it's up to the people who live in town (I'm on Milton by Harley) to make it a community. It doesn't happen on it's own, but it also does happen organically when people have similar visions of what they want their community to be. It doesn't have to involve all the red tape associated with big corps. We have a canvas to work on. There's tons of talent around here to make it happen. I have believed in this town and I won't give up, sure I had to leave to survive financially, but my spirit still says it can be done. It's time for people to kick ass instead of kissing ass. sorry if that's offensive, but i find it more offensive that a town with beautiful homes, closeness to NYC, the shore, the mountains, the hub of NJTRANSIT's two largest lines, looks like Rahway. That's what I find offensive. Community=Pride=success=a town to live and play in, and you feel as though you're part of something.

unknown-I like your blank slate reference ;) I agr...

2012-02-16T13:47:53.581-05:00

unknown-I like your blank slate reference ;)
I agree with you, I would love this to happen in Rahway. I’m just saying that a strong, sound business plan is needed, just as with any business.
That is what I see lacking in many businesses; (be them socially or financially driven) which in turn makes them unsuccessful.
I hope that someone with the knowledge on this type of field spearheads this.

This is a brilliant idea. Have any idea what time...

2012-02-16T13:33:19.185-05:00

This is a brilliant idea. Have any idea what time you might be meeting that night? I work in NYC, hard to predict what time I might be home at any given evening but if it's possible I'd be interested in coming by and chatting about it.

@tabula rasa : of course it would:) but there'...

2012-02-16T13:24:00.359-05:00

@tabula rasa : of course it would:) but there's no better town to make this sort of thing manifest than Rahway. It's mostly a blank slate..I'm not being disrespectful to the businesses that are currently there; but to build a community it takes people will to do a lot of work; and most of the reward will have to be the feeling of accomplishment and knowing we've made a difference. If people are solely looking at the bottom line of business; it's time to realize that financial wealth alone will not give a sense of community..you can't buy it, you gotta be it.

Joe- I agree that a co-op could be something that ...

2012-02-16T13:18:05.144-05:00

Joe- I agree that a co-op could be something that would work within Rahway.
It is also appealing because it is a socially responsible business supporting local merchants.
But this would have to be very organized and well run in order to work
I've been to some co-op's in Brooklyn & NYC and the two below were really good.

NYC:
http://www.4thstreetfoodcoop.org

Brooklyn:
http://foodcoop.com

I would have loved to go to the meeting on Feb 24th. It’s sounds very interesting but I will be away for work.

Joe, I'm pretty sure you know me. We've de...

2012-02-16T11:39:01.090-05:00

Joe, I'm pretty sure you know me. We've definitely met. It's Clea from the Chamber - Jacki's friend. info@cleacarchia.com

thanks..meet up next on the 24th @ Little Portugal...

2012-02-16T11:24:39.821-05:00

thanks..meet up next on the 24th @ Little Portugal and introduce yourself, these things gotta start rollin:)

Joe, THAT is a great idea! Great great great! LOVE...

2012-02-16T11:17:42.924-05:00

Joe, THAT is a great idea! Great great great! LOVE IT. It can be like a permanent indoor farmers market, but expanded to include lots of specialties like baked goods, a cheese shop, wine, organic meat and groceries, whatever! Very smart.

I think what would work for Downtown Rahway is a C...

2012-02-16T11:09:44.280-05:00

I think what would work for Downtown Rahway is a Co Op of merchants, in say the Robinson building or something of that size. Each department can be individually owned, using local and State of NJ dairies, grocers, produce, flowers, ut hum bakers, candy. We do NOT need a corporation coming down here looking for tax breaks, incentives. We need people who want to own a little piece of sky, coordinated, organized, and productive. It's worked all over the WORLD for centuries. I envision a Balducci's feel, a Whole Foods/Trader Joes/Wegmans philosophy, and independent merchants working together to build a community. It starts with food. You have to feed these people in the units being built and not every body can afford to go to a restaurant or order in every night...If anyone is seriously interested in pursuing something like this I will be meeting with people at Little Portugal Restaurant on the 24th of February, again to Occupy RawWay.
It's time the people who love this town to get it together, stop listening to nah sayers, dump the negativity, have as much independence from self serving individuals (if the hat fits, wear it) that we can. I've believed in this town for 30 years, gave it my heart and soul and money. I still live here and still want to come back downtown in addition to staying in Clark. But I ain't doin it alone. So people, either put your money where your mouth is, put your time (cause that's all we got) where your mouth is, stop complaining and stop looking for other people to do things for you. If you haven't served the community don't bitch about it until you have.
over and "OUT" Joe Levi, That Bakery.

Speaking of organic food, I just want to mention t...

2012-02-15T13:00:03.762-05:00

Speaking of organic food, I just want to mention that the pet food place that opened up on Cherry Street; "Pet Essentials", is really worth going into.

I hesitated for a long time, for some reason it didn't look very appealing to me and the fact that there were people frequently hanging out smoking at the entry didn't exactly make me want to enter either.

However, I did finally go in the other week and I was very impressed with the owner and the items they are selling. If you're the kind of person who is into feeding your dog/cat better quality food this is YOUR store. And, they will get you any other brand you currently use if they don't have it (I don't mean Purina here, I mean healthy food). The owner is highly knowledgeable about what he sells and it was a pleasure to speak with him. Hopefully his store won't fade away like so many others.

Ok, back to discussing people food :)

Why now so concern about a budget for years they d...

2012-02-14T20:02:49.531-05:00

Why now so concern about a budget for years they did not care about budget's what they need to do is fix the street's there POT HOLE HOT LINE what a joke.

you can send it to me but make it doller bills

2012-02-14T19:51:54.863-05:00

you can send it to me but make it doller bills

There is a Pathmark on Saint Georges Ave about 1 m...

2012-02-14T17:06:57.491-05:00

There is a Pathmark on Saint Georges Ave about 1 mile away. I think it is important to have the traffic coming into downtown. To have it on Saint Georges Ave would not have the same impact as having it downtown.
I’m moving into Rahway in April and I know a lot of artists, young professionals, musicians, entrepreneurs that I have personally taken downtown to show/check out the area.
They had interest in downtown Rahway since seeing it and two are moving there within the next few months.

I wanted to share the comments have gotten from about 14 people I have taken there (many shared the same thoughts)
• Many said they didn’t realize that they were building this much
• Everyone was excited about the Hamilton Stage
• Everyone loved Cherry Street and said should be turn into promenade (a couple of people said it could be a the northeast version of Espanola Way in South Beach)
• Many comments on not realizing Rahway had so many places to eat.
• Everyone loved the Waiting Room
• Many comments on the NO foot traffic
• Many though the some new apt buildings were a just a little over priced for the area at the moment
• Got comments that is missing a supermarket and a coffeehouse- Like Rockin Joes (in Cranford, Millburn, Westfield, etc)
• Got comments needs some small cool shops
• They all thought it has potential to be a cool little city

tabula - Right on target. Must be downtown to incr...

2012-02-14T16:55:08.161-05:00

tabula - Right on target. Must be downtown to increase foot traffic. Promenade + cool little shops + supermarket = better downtown! Welcome to Rahway!

2012-02-14T16:08:41.520-05:00

This comment has been removed by the author.

To pleaseforgiveme – Where can I send my donation ...

2012-02-14T13:41:57.148-05:00

To pleaseforgiveme – Where can I send my donation lol! Well said.

An ideal spot would be up on St. Georges Ave., whe...

2012-02-14T13:18:21.695-05:00

An ideal spot would be up on St. Georges Ave., where people from all parts of town and out of town could get there easily. Easy access in & out.