West Grand eyesore slated for improvements

A rundown two-story building along West Grand Avenue will get much-needed renovations in the coming months after the Zoning Board of Adjustment gave its approval Monday night.

The Zoning Board granted developers the same variances that had been in place for previous owners. The West Grand Avenue neighborhood, they argued, is full of mixed-uses and variances and a single-family home would neither fit in nor be marketable.

The property is flanked by the Grand Arms Apartments on the left, and a one-way street (Newton Place) on the right. No one could remember exactly how long the site has been vacant but the general feeling was at least 10 years. Some remembered that it once housed a Chinese restaurant and at another time, a go-go bar.

The first floor would house two retail tenants while the second floor would include two two-bedroom rental apartments; both floors would have about 1,700 square feet. Parking behind the building (right) would fit seven spaces, including a handicapped space. Renovations are expected to be completed in about two months.

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0 thoughts on “West Grand eyesore slated for improvements”

  1. When I first moved to town in 1985 it was a Chinese restaurant. When I left in 86 it was still there. We moved back in 93 and I seem to remember that it has been closed since at least then.

  2. I wonder if this town is considering any other sorts of entertainment. Are we going to see proposals for a billiards place or bowling place or our own small movie theatre like cranford and westfield…Just curious if they’re only giving us retail, coffee and more people

  3. It use to be richards i do belive from what i remember,lol. man some good times at the go-go. closed door go-go was soooo much fun,ahaha.i do belive it was a two owner joint,geocobi and whats his name,lol. the place use to shortys bar. one of the oldiest bar in town. another shot please. there was only 5 or 6 stool bar in it. was to young back inb the 60s to pound one down there,but i do remember looking in and there was a pole in the middle of the bar seperating the stools,lol.

  4. Alexis, back in the 1970s, Rahway Lanes stood where Bell Mitsubishi now resides on Rt. 1 and there was a billiard hall on Rt. 1 just north of Sansone Toyota that was demolished in 2004 or 2005 when the state relocated the highway.

  5. Why dont they show movies at the ucac? I quess they dont want the nice seats full of popcorn!At least do it when Engleburt isnt in the house…..

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