Rockn' Joe Coffeehouse Closes
Kendall Park franchise location, which opened in 2008, closed its doors last week.
Rockn' Joe Coffeehouse and Bistro has closed its doors and the company is now looking to sell the franchise eatery located on Route 27.
Rockn' Joe founder and CEO Kevin Brennan said the closing came as a surprise. He was unaware the Kendall Park franchise failed to open last week.
Brennan added that he's been unable to reach franchise owner Kin Lee.
"I don't have a whole lot of details right now for Kendall Park, that's a franchise location and the owner has gone incommunicado," Brennan said in a message on Friday. "I made some phone calls and (Lee) basically didn't notify anyone, and he didn't open up, and he isn't returning any phone calls, so we're trying to figure out what's going on."
The coffeehouse opened in November 2008 offering a menu of sandwiches, soups and other items, along with desserts and coffee. Rockn' Joe also featured a variety of musical acts who performed at the location.
Brennan, who founded the original Rockn’ Joe nearly 20 years ago in Cranford, said the company is still figuring out details for what is to become of the site, and should have more information by the middle of this week.
"Obviously we're looking to do a sale on the location," he said.
Brennan asks that anyone who may be interested in purchasing the site contact him at kevin@rocknjoe.net.
Judy Walters
4:12 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
This whole thing is very bizarre.
Hank Kalet
5:32 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Yes, Judy, quite a disappointment. We had been using the bistro for office hours occasionally, which worked out very well. Now, we'll need to find another location in town. I hope Brennan can find a local buyer and it can be reopened.
Judy Walters
5:57 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
I went to see you there last week, Hank! That's when I discovered that the place was closed.
Sherry Rubel
9:56 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Kingston Cafe is a good place to hang they have free wifi now.
Lee was not open to making the business a success anyway.
Hank Kalet
12:00 pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2012
I rotate through the six towns in our region. I'll have to add Main Street in Kingston to the list when it's South Brunswick's turn again in February. Thanks Sherry.
Jason Caputo
12:26 am on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
I was very sad to find Rock N Joe closed this week : \ They are in a perfect place for a coffee shop but the community just didn't seem to support them.
Mel Director
11:57 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
I am so to hear that this placed closed! It was awesome I really hope it opens up again!
MO
12:43 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
This is the unfortunate result of what happens when people choose chains and big-box companies over local vendors and mom & pop's. Their drinks were just as delicious as Starbucks (MILES ahead of D&D) yet they offered an environment and hipness that Starbucks could never match. This was the place you brought your out-of town-friend's to prove that SB does have that little something extra. They supported local musicians, local artists and local vendors. It's sad that a place that had all the "rights" were treated so incredibly wrong by our community. I truly hope someone recognizes the importance of this location and decides to purchase it for those of us who were dedicated to this very cool coffee shop.