Sayonara Family Buffet

Handwritten signs on doors saying all equipment is for sale. Cash only.
if anyone wants to pick up a used fryer as a last-minute Christmas gift...

Oh no! Now I'll never meet a guy who knows a guy who has a roommate that ate their once.

My only surprise is that it survived this long...

susan1014 said:

My only surprise is that it survived this long...


Indeed!

Much like the Church of Scientology offices on Tottenham Court Road in London, I've witnessed many people go in there, but I've never seen them leave.

the title should be Joi gin, not sayonara, btw. I'm pretty sure they're not Japanese

I'm very sorry to see any local business go. Our downtown doesn't need any more empty storefronts.

peter_watts said:

I'm very sorry to see any local business go. Our downtown doesn't need any more empty storefronts.


Please. I feel confident something will fill the space. Whatever it is will be better than Family Buffet.

I think that place will sit for a while. Like Cryan's, the physical space is badly in need of a renovation.

But it would be spectacular for that renovation to happen. That corner is such an eyesore. An attractive building could really draw people down the street toward the Spa Lady/Harusame shopping center too.

True. But it would take someone with a vision for the place and (most importantly), the coin to pull off the reno. It happens sometimes, a la Ricalton's, but IMO it's not likely to happen, at least anytime soon.

Maybe a developer will come along to build more luxury apartments. We need a few more in town.

Maybe they can turn it into a Chinese restaurant with a bar. Then they can serve underage drinkers. And they can call it........Alex Eng

Would make a great indoor laser tag facility

Honestly I've always thought a pool hall would be nice in that space, like a South Orange version of Fat Cat - pool tables, ping pong and board games...

scottgreenstone said:

Would make a great indoor laser tag facility


Ooooooooooooooooh!

Does it have its own parking lot/area? I know I go by that place all the time, but haven't made note of the parking situation.

There's a public lot across and up the street, but I don't believe it has private parking.

TigerLilly said:

Does it have its own parking lot/area? I know I go by that place all the time, but haven't made note of the parking situation.

I don't think so. The parking lot there is private - for Jespy House. I doubt the restaurant has an arrangement with the office building across the street. There's street parking on Irvington and that public lot midblock on irvington

mjh said:

peter_watts said:

I'm very sorry to see any local business go. Our downtown doesn't need any more empty storefronts.


Please. I feel confident something will fill the space. Whatever it is will be better than Family Buffet.


Whew, you're confident, I can rest easy.

Where is Alex Eng when you really need him.......

laudisi646 said:

Honestly I've always thought a pool hall would be nice in that space, like a South Orange version of Fat Cat - pool tables, ping pong and board games...

A pool hall? Oh, noooo....

http://youtu.be/s60hOgqLFGg

Things that could go in there:
Dinosaurs BBQ
Soul Cycle
Gap Kids/Baby Gap
Beer Hall

Other thoughts?

@metaphysician, excellent oh oh That was running through my head too!!

@RippleK BEER HALL!!!! Though I don't think there's an available liquor license. But in all reality, a baby/kid store would be good. Something akin to a Babies 'r' Us where they sell not only clothing and gifts, but practical items as well.

RippleK said:

Things that could go in there:
Dinosaurs BBQ
Soul Cycle
Gap Kids/Baby Gap
Beer Hall

Other thoughts?


A portal to the planet Krypton
The fountain of youth
The oracle of Delphi
A Wegmans
Lenin's Tomb
The ark of the covenant


TarheelsInNj said:

@metaphysician, excellent oh oh That was running through my head too!!

@RippleK BEER HALL!!!! Though I don't think there's an available liquor license. But in all reality, a baby/kid store would be good. Something akin to a Babies 'r' Us where they sell not only clothing and gifts, but practical items as well.

No chain is going to build a baby store with so little parking (away from major commerical strips), and any non-chain is going to be crippled by the reality that many people will drive to route 10 (or use amazon) to get discounts on the big purchases. I've been here long enough to see two baby/child stores opened downtown. One moved to Millburn, the other eventually closed down.


Frank said:

RippleK said:

Things that could go in there:
Dinosaurs BBQ
Soul Cycle
Gap Kids/Baby Gap
Beer Hall

Other thoughts?


A portal to the planet Krypton
The fountain of youth
The oracle of Delphi
A Wegmans
Lenin's Tomb
The ark of the covenant



Now that's funny!

I'm down with an Oracle of Delphi but no commie Lennin'sTomb.

I think we can all agree what we really need is a Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

stateguy said:

Where is Alex Eng when you really need him.......
I actually used to work for his son. Nice guy, loves to cook, plenty of money, near retirement. Not interested. I tried.

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