Tag Archives: Koza’s

Former Koza’s Bar comes down this week

Demolition of Koza’s Bar started on Monday, two years after an initial proposal to build 12 units at the site was rejected.

The developer returned to the Zoning Board in October 2008 with a revised plan for nine units in a two-story structure at the West Scott Avenue site, which is about 0.88 acres. Final site plan approval was granted early this year and demolition was expected in the spring.

At that time, the developer hoped to put them on the market for about $350,000 but did not rule out renting the condos until the real estate market improves. The three-bedroom units will be about 1,600 square feet.

Thanks to reader Christine who tipped me off via the Rahway Rising Facebook page when demolition began on Monday.

The top posts of 2008

And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for, or not, the most viewed posts of 2008 (I’ll be scouring garage sales and flea markets for an appropriately gaudy trophy to present to the top spot):

1. Cubanu: A review, 855 page views
2. Luciano’s set to open, 847
3. On tap for 2008: Park Square, Sky View, 837
4. Luciano’s open for business, 446
5. Luciano’s: A review, 427
6. Pizza Pizza, 404
7. Zoning Board KOs condos at Koza’s, 387
8. Rahway welcomes Hollywood, 330
9. Eatery targets July opening, 267
10. The Waiting Room by a mile, 238

Hmm…I sense a restaurant theme. Maybe we’ll focus a bit more on that if that’s what readers want, although of the 132 posts in 2008, 20 were restaurant related. It’s likely a common way to find the blog, while looking for info about new restaurants, particularly Luciano’s and Cubanu. In 2009, we’ll also try to more consistently offer news outside of downtown, like Route 1 or St. Georges Avenue.

Nine units OK’d for former Koza’s site

Ten months after denying a plan for 12 units, the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Monday night paved the way for nine condominium apartments at the site of Koza’s Bar (197 W. Scott Ave./Block 231, Lot 16).

Continue reading Nine units OK’d for former Koza’s site

Plan for Koza’s comes back


A new plan for Koza’s bar on West Scott Avenue was deferred Monday night until next month’s meeting, Oct. 20. Only five members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment were present, barely enough for a quorum.

Only Rahway Rising had the story last December when the Zoning Board of Adjustment rejected a concept plan for 12 units at the 3/4-acre site that would have renovated the 1920 structure and added a second floor. While Zoning Board members appreciated the plan, there was some concern about the density. The new plan includes nine townhouses but still requires a bulk variance and use variance.
Koza’s didn’t fare too well in our “What’s your favorite bar in Rahway?” poll this past spring, but it must be considered one of the “elder statesemen” of Rahway bars (read: old school), as I’ve heard the second-shifters at Merck used to patronize it back in the day.

Zoning Board KO’s plan for 12 condos at Koza’s

Uncomfortable with a density of 12 units on a three-quarter-acre site, the Zoning Board of Adjustment Monday night denied a concept plan for condos to replace Koza’s Bar, 197 W. Scott Ave.

Continue reading Zoning Board KO’s plan for 12 condos at Koza’s