The Jane H. Booker Women Center Zoe An American Bistro advertise on redbankgreen
Prowns Home Improvements

LET’S DO LUNCHEONETTE

Itris_muralA mural in the window of the former Itri’s eatery signals Guy Johnson’s hope that the grill will soon sizzle again.

Last we heard, the former home of Itri’s luncheonette on West Front Street was being scoped out by a pair of young couples who wanted to buy and revive the classic tiny eatery.

But talks got hung up on their lawyer’s worries (not shared by the buyers themselves, we’re told) that the place had no clear easement to the driveway running alongside the building — the only way to get to the business’s eight parking spots out back. The deal fell apart earlier this year.

No such worries constrained Guy Johnson, though. The owner of the massive Antique Center of Red Bank next door bought the place last month at a deep discount, ($350,000, compared to the 2004 listing at $589,000).

“I had to buy it,” Johnson tells redbankgreen. “I was always taught you should buy the property next door so the neighbors don’t complain.”

Itris_808The Itri’s building, just to the east of the Antique Center on West Front.

And what about the driveway, which is owned by PRC Group, the property company that owns the Grandville Towers high rise behind the eatery? Johnson’s not worried. He claims the law says a shared driveway must be closed at least one day a year for its owner to deny user access, and “that hasn’t been closed for a hundred years.”

He’s got plans for the place, too. Johnson has hired Red Bank’s S.O.M.E. Architects to come up with a plan for a small restaurant to replace Itri’s.

The work on the plans has just begun, so stay tuned.

If his plan goes through, Johnson says he’ll be looking to rent out the entire building to someone who’ll run the restaurant and live in the attached house.

Email this story

Posted on August 20, 2008 at 9:26 am, filed under Antiques & collectibles, Business, Food and Drink, People, Real Estate. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed. Email this story.
Red Bank Beer Garden

  • They'll never be able to recreate Kathy Itri's famous iced tea though.

    Posted by: itsjen on August 20, 2008 at 10:08 am | Permalink

  • The renovations in the neighborhood will only help you..

    I hope you guys are rewarded for the effort!

    Best of luck!

    Posted by: Ken Ameika on August 20, 2008 at 11:18 am | Permalink

  • I remember pumping gas at the (now gone) BP staion as a kid and getting pork roll and Egg sandwiches and that famous ice tea for lunch.

    Ahh what memories!

    Posted by: Nostalgia on August 20, 2008 at 6:05 pm | Permalink

  • Come on lets talk I can give great resume but comfort food is on my menu!
    Fred
    owner of several establishments from red bank to ft myers
    been lookin at that place for a long time and even spoke to the realtors last year..
    been quiet 4 a while ready 4 action, NOW!

    Posted by: fabu on August 21, 2008 at 1:23 am | Permalink

    • Click teeth to read "comments on comments" file. Click GIF file to enlarge.

  • recent comments:

    • 07.04 - Bank of America presents Red Bank StreetLife The summertime Saturday night series of free local music showcases continues on the sidewalks and storefronts of the borough’s business district — tonight featuring Chris Turner & Steel Rail Blues at the Dublin House, William Smith at Ten Thousand Villages, Murphy Six String & Piper Bros. at Haagen Dazs, Gina Blechman at Red Ginger Home, and Phoebe Ryan & Friends on White Street.
    • 07.04 - Sea Bright Fireworks with Tim McLoone Tim McLoone and the Shirleys entertain at the borough's annual display of pyrotechnics by the surf. Bring a blanket and beach chair; park in the lot near the firehouse; fireworks start at dusk and there's a rain date of 7/5.
    • 07.05 - Disappearing Acts Frank Talk proprietor Gilda Rogers, author of ARRESYED DEVELOPMENT: THE STATE OF BLACK ACHIEVEMENT AND EDUCATION IN HIP HOP AMERICA, reads from her book and presents a 30 minute preview of the video BLACK LIST, with a discussion following on ' why Black Art, Black Literature and Black Progressivism is an anomaly in the age of Obama.' It's free to attend, and refreshments will be served, but reservations are required and can be made by calling 732.747.2572.
    • 07.05 - Open Mic with Dave Crowton and Carol Barbieri A new weekly Sunday night jam 'for strummers and singers,' hosted by the guitar ace and local vocalist. Hopefuls are urged to bring their instrument and their cheerleading friends!
    • 07.06 - Youth Art Exhibit Middletown Library is the host venue for an exhibit of art created by young students of the Middletown Arts Center's Youth Art Classes. The exhibit stays on display through July 29, when an ice cream reception will be held from 3 to 5pm.
    • 07.06 - International Films: IN BRUGES Middletown Library presents a summer series of free foreign films, with light refreshments served and the best air conditioning in town. Colin Farrell had what's arguably his best role to date as a cutely cynical assassin cooling his heels in Belgium, in Martin McDonagh's 2008 dark comedy costarring Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. Screenings at 2:30pm and 6:30pm.
    • 07.07 - MADAGASCAR Put aside for a moment the tired in—joke wisecracks, the thin celebrity voices, the increasingly numbing animation and the whole cynically rendered process by which we're supposed to care about these pictures, and revel in the fact that Red Bank's summer series of FREE family—friendly movies in the park hath returned. Event starts at 7pm with live music; movie screens at 8:30.
    • 07.07 - STONE SOUP & OTHER STORIES The Barn at Thompson Park in Middletown is the stage, as the Monmouth County Parks System hosts the traveling Pushcart Players in an original family theatre production adapted from some time honored fables and fairytales.
    • 07.07 - Free Movies on the Beach: ICE AGE The CGI animation opens a new season of family friendly films out on the sands of Sea Bright's municipal beach. Bring a blanket and beach chair; park in the lot near the firehouse, and enjoy this 'prehysteric' romp in which a woolly mammoth, sabertooth tiger and sloth (Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary) attempt to reunite a human infant with this tribe.
    • 07.08 - Author Kelly Corrigan The YouTube sensation and best selling writer of THE MIDDLE PLACE comes to BookMark It at The Grove, to read from and sign copies of her memoir about adulthood, parenting and the need to still be 'somebody's daughter.' Admission includes reception catered by Branches Catering, live music by Mike Errico and a signing copy of the book (along with Errico's new CD).
    • 07.08 - STONE SOUP & OTHER STORIES The Barn at Thompson Park in Middletown is the stage, as the Monmouth County Parks System hosts the traveling Pushcart Players in an original family theatre production adapted from some time honored fables and fairytales.
    • 07.09 - Sci—Fi Book and movie: STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Middletown Library continues the monthly summertime series of science fiction book and movie discussions, with the popular 1982 sequel (regarded by many as the best of the original cast movies) and its novelization by Vonda K. McIntyre.
    • 07.09 - Shakespeare on the Shore: THE ODYSSEY New Jersey Repertory Company veteran Jason King Jones directs an intimate stage version of Homer's epic of warrior Odysseus and the natural and supernatural obstacles that imperil his voyage home from the fall of Troy. It's not Shakespeare, but it's presented with an ensemble cast inside the Middletown Library's community room for a single performance, with free tickets available at the library's reference desk.
    • 07.09 - Comcast Jazz in the Park: Tom Timko & the Horn Dogs The 2009 series of the popular jazz 'n blues series of outdoor concerts returns to the sculpted terraces and waterfront walkways of Riverside Gardens, with lawnchair seating, concession stand ready to serve and complimentary Navesink sunset. Timko's big band is supported on opening night with a set by the Red Bank Middle School's band.
    • 07.09 - Engelbert Humperdinck The King of Romance returns to the Count's court! The crooner with the golden throat and the look of Real Corinthian Leather celebrates 40 years as a top singing sensation with a worldwide tour that rolls into Red Bank.
    • 07.10 - An Evening of Words Gilda Rogers and her unique an eclectic art bistro present the monthly session of prose/poetry readings, with an open invitation to 'lose yourself in the natural vibe of the poet's mind.' Refreshments served; seating is limited, so call to reserve at 732.747.2572.
    • 07.10 - Songwriters in the Park: Steve Forbert Sponsored by Brookdale CC's listener—supported radio station in partnership with Comcast, this returning series brings some fairly high—profile talent to the banks of the Navesink for a relatively laid—back, acoustic—oriented slate of double bills. Tonight it's the veteran urban folkie whose 'Romeo's Song' was a sizable hit back circa 1980, and whose edgy, raspy and rambunctious originals continue to inspire. Jon Caspi opens.
    • 07.10 - Summer Jazz Cafe: Claudio Roditi & Sambop Quartet The summertime series of weekend music events returns to the River's Edge Cafe, courtesy of Joe Muccioli and his borough—based Jazz Arts Project, with a special menu served up by Cafe owner and chef Bob Guido. This weekend, Grammy nominated trumpeter Roditi and his bossanova tinged jazz combo bring some South American flavor (the name's a mashup of 'samba' and 'bop') to the Edge.
    • 07.11 - Bank of America presents Red Bank StreetLife The summertime Saturday night series of free local music showcases continues on the sidewalks and storefronts of the borough’s business district — tonight featuring Queen Tipsy at the Dublin House, Gary Philllips at Rivers Edge Cafe, Raymond Blair at Haagen Dazs, Jeff MacPherson at Red Ginger Home, and George Robson at the Train Station.
    • 07.11 - GODSPELL Producer Mark Fleming and his Premier Theatre Company wrap up their summer season of shows with this crowdpleasing favorite, presented at the Henderson Theatre on the grounds of Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft.
    • 07.11 - Summer Jazz Cafe: Claudio Roditi & Sambop Quartet The summertime series of weekend music events returns to the River's Edge Cafe, courtesy of Joe Muccioli and his borough—based Jazz Arts Project, with a special menu served up by Cafe owner and chef Bob Guido. This weekend, Grammy nominated trumpeter Roditi and his bossanova tinged jazz combo bring some South American flavor (the name's a mashup of 'samba' and 'bop') to the Edge.
    • 07.12 - Paintings and photos by Pat Halsey Visual works by the artist are on display through July 31 at the Oceanic Free Library, with an Artist's Reception today from noon until 2pm.
    • 07.12 - GODSPELL Producer Mark Fleming and his Premier Theatre Company wrap up their summer season of shows with this crowdpleasing favorite, presented at the Henderson Theatre on the grounds of Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft.
    • 07.12 - Frank Talk Reading Series w/ Poet John Petrolino Gilda Rogers' eclectic art bistro and bookstore Frank Talk hosts the local author whose newest book CONGO LIGHTS is 'a mind's eye excursion of discovery.' Petrolino presents the first in a regularly scheduled (second Sunday of every month) reading series, debuting with appearances by Frank Messina and the prolific (over 20 books!) Adele Kenny. It's a five buck cover charge for refreshments, and seating is limited, so call to reserve at 732.747.2572.
    • 07.13 - International Films: MONGOL Middletown Library presents a summer series of free foreign films, with light refreshments served and the best air conditioning in town. Today it's director Sergei Bodrov's 2007 biography of Genghis Khan, with an accent on his relatively dashing early days. Screenings at 2:30pm and 6:30pm.