Category Archives: Retailing

SEA BRIGHT: TENTS AND TRAILERS

Look Back Antiques is seeking permission to do business on the town’s tiny boardwalk on weekends this summer. (Click to enlarge) By WIL FULTON Sea Bright business owners struggling to reopen their stores damaged by Hurricane Sandy will be allowed to operate from mobile trailers under a measure approved by the borough council this week. [...]

RED BANK: GLUTEN-FREE EATERY GETS EARTHY

Paul Finkler is severing his ties with Pizza Fusion and rebranding his Broad Street restaurant Earth Pizza. (Click to enlarge) By ROBERT KERN You might call it a pizza “de-fusing.” Just three years after opening a Pizza Fusion franchise in Red Bank, owner Paul Finkler is cutting the chains and rebranding his newly independent Broad [...]

WHERE HAVE I SEEN THIS?

The colorfully painted 55-gallon drums shown in last week’s Where Have I Seen This, as noted by reader Ginni Koehler, are part of the outdoor decorations and mini-farm in front of Pop’s Garage, the Mexican restaurant in the Grove West shopping center in Shrewsbury.

RED BANK: NEW RESTAURANT OK’D

Architect Michael Simpson, below, addresses the Red Bank planning board about expanding the use of the former Fameabilia store on Monmouth Street to accommodate a restaurant. (Photo by Sarah Klepner. Click to enlarge) By SARAH KLEPNER A red Bank storefront that over the past 20 years has been a CPA’s office, a theater, a store [...]

RED BANK: EYESORE SPACE IN FOR MAKEOVER

The new owner of the former Love Lane tuxedo space also owns the four-story 12 Broad Street, just around the corner. (Click to enlarge) By JOHN T. WARD One of downtown Red Bank’s more glaring eyesore buildings is about to get a gut job. The owners of the highly successful 12 Broad Street have acquired [...]

SEA BRIGHT: BOUTIQUE IN A BOAT SHOP

A straw clutch by Mud Pie is among the fashion items available in what had long been just a boating supply store. (Photo by Alexis Orlacchio. Click to enlarge) By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO After a rough off-season that included severe damage from Hurricane Sandy, the owners of Sea Bright’s Angler’s Marina & Beach Boutique, Fred Leonardis [...]

LITTLE SILVER SIDEWALK SALE

It started Thursday, continues Friday and runs through Saturday. It’s the annual Little Silver Springtime Sidewalk Sale, and we’ve got six seconds of sights and sounds to whet you’re interest. (Video by Trish Russoniello. Click to enlarge)

FAIR HAVEN: SANDY REFUGEE JOINS INFLUX

Newly opened Sadie James Boutique offers laid-back, “coastal-inspired” women’s wear. (Click to enlarge) By JOHN T. WARD Chelsea Delaney was all set to close on the purchase of Sea Bright boutique CoCoTay when Hurricane Sandy hit last October 29. The business, like nearly all others in town, was wiped out, and the deal fell apart. [...]

RED BANK: GUERRILLA ART OFF THE WALK

‘Anonymous’ artists plan to crash the Art Walk planned for Friday night in Red Bank, displaying their works in unexpected places. (Click to enlarge) By JOHN T. WARD Friday night’s Art Walk in Red Bank, the latest in a series, comes with a twist: guerrilla displays of creativity. With the blessing of Art Walk’s organizers, [...]

RED BANK: FARMERS RETURN TO MARKET

Among the myriad culinary and craft-shopping options available throughout the Green on Mother’s Day is one that bristles with green freshness: the Red Bank Farmer’s Market, above, which reopens Sunday for its six-month season in the parking lot of the Galleria of Red Bank, at West Front Street and Shrewsbury Avenue. The open-air market runs [...]

FAIR HAVEN: NEW FOOD MARKET OPENS

Before carving out a career with the likes of Balducci’s and Gourmet Garage, BFF Market’s Tony Balderose, below, spent years in the telecom industry. (Click to enlarge) By JOHN T. WARD Now open in Fair Haven: Balderose Fine Foods, an upmarket deli taking the space formerly occupied by Gourmet Picnic bakery at Fair Haven Road [...]

BOWLING SITE EYED FOR RESTAURANT, STORES

An architect’s rendering shows spaces for three yet-to-be identified stores and a restaurant on the former site of Memory Bowling in Shrewsbury, which was destroyed in a June, 2009 fire, below. (Click to enlarge) By JOHN T. WARD Four years after a devastating fire reduced the Memory Bowling alley to ashes, Shrewsbury may be getting [...]

RED BANK: THE DOG NIGHTS OF SUMMER?

Dogs at last month’s Red Bank Street Fair. Mayor Pasquale Menna says he’s working on a recurring dog-friendly event for this summer.  (Click to enlarge) By WIL FULTON Red Bank’s elected officials had canines on the brain Wednesday night, as dog-related issues came up several times during the course of the bimonthly council meeting. Mayor [...]

RED BANK: SHOWING SMOKERS THE DOOR

Amy Manor is closing off the vestibule to her design studio, above, because of damage she said has been done by nighttime smokers. Below, Manor with cigarette butts left behind the shop. (Photos by Dan Natale. Click to enlarge) By DAN NATALE Amy Manor is sick of blood, vomit, and broken windows. She’s giving the [...]

RED BANK: GETTING DOWN AND COMFORTERED

Susan Fowlers’ comforter, sized for use by an individual and foldable into a pillor or travel pillow. (Photo by Alexis Orlacchio. Click to enlarge) By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO Window Shopping the Green cozied up at Down To Basics in The Galleria Red Bank with the 4-in-1 Travel Comforter created by store owner and Rumson resident Susan [...]


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    • 05.23 - Neighbors Helping Neighbors at MTPL Middletown Main Library hosts a free weekly Thursday morning meeting of the support group for people who are re—entering the job market, struggling small business owners and anyone looking for part—time or volunteer work.
    • 05.23 - Yoga Kids at RBPL The Avice Noblett Children's Room at Red Bank Public Library hosts free yoga sesions for kids ages 5 and up, conducted by Alice Balzarini. Registration required; bring your own mat.
    • 05.23 - Party on the Promenade at the Molly The newly expanded riverfront promenade of the Molly Pitcher Inn is the setting for special fundraiser event to benefit the nonprofit Friends of the Monmouth County Parks, hosted by the Molly in partnership with the Red Bank Flavour Culinary Alliance — and featuring samplings from an array of Red Bank restaurants, as well as cocktail tastings, live steel drum music, dancing and prize giveaways. Click for link to purchase tickets online.
    • 05.23 - Author Randal Gabrielan in Little Silver The local historian and Executive Director of the Monmouth County Historical Commission visits the borough library for a discussion of his book EXPLOSION AT MORGAN, a study of a 1918 disaster that occurred at an area munitions facility in the time of the first World War.
    • 05.23 - Random Test Appearing at Molly Maguire's Black Point Inn in Rumson.
    • 05.23 - Free Lecture feat. Dr. Peter Gray The Boston College professor and author of the book FREE TO LEARN visits The Jersey Shore Free School in Little Silver to discuss his controversial research into 'the curiosity killing institution we call school,' and the importance of free play in children's happiness, self esteem, academic motivation and overall health.
    • 05.23 - Pat Guadagno's BOBFEST With the 16th annual musical celebration of Bob Dylan's birthday (the young upstart is 72 years of age here in 2013), the Shore's perennial 'saloon singer' brings his signature concert event back to the big Basie stage and auditorium, with Tired Horses in tow and NJ 101.5's Big Joe Henry taking advantage of the spacious new digs. Proceeds benefit the Rock & Roll Music Fund and the Anthony X. Guadagno Scholarship Fund at the Berklee College of Music.
    • 05.23 - Comedy Night Live at The Dub Chris Covert of Jersey Jokers presents the latest in a regular series of standup comedy Open Mics, in which some of the region's future stars (and ha ha hopefuls) are showcased upstairs at the Dublin House.
    • 05.23 - Rock N Roll Karaoke The band from NYC's Arlene's Grocery hosts this popular weekly feature at The Downtown, in which civilian hopefuls can front a hard—rocking combo on any of a couple hundred classic rock favorites.
    • 05.24 - Ride—A—Thon for Sea Bright Rising Clementine Cycling Studio in Fair Haven is the setting for a fundraising event for the locally based community recovery organization. Participants can ride anywhere from 1 to 6 hours between 9 am and 3 pm, with the goal of raising a minimum of 100 dollars per hour of ride time through sponsor donations. Click for phone and web links to more info.
    • 05.24 - Yoga for Adults Amy Novak leads a free Friday afternoon session at Red Bank Library. No registration required; bring your own mat.
    • 05.24 - Friday Knitters at Oceanic Library Crocheters are welcome too, as the Oceanic Free Library in Rumson invites needlecraft enthusiasts of all levels to bring your projects to show and share.
    • 05.24 - Movie Time at RBPL The Avice Noblett Children's Room at Red Bank Public Library invites kids with a day off from school to 'join the Immortal Guardians as they team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world.'
    • 05.24 - Manga Club at MTPL Middletown Main Library hosts an afternoon Manga Club on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, with teens and tweens meeting to view an anime film and discuss it afterwards. Light refreshments will be served; no registration required. Click for phone or email links to more info.
    • 05.24 - Teen Book Club at MTPL Middletown Main Library hosts a monthly group for teen readers, with this month's title THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green. Click for phone or online links to reserve a copy of this month's selection, or for more info.
    • 05.24 - Student Life Exhibition at Gallery U Gallery U & Boutique in Red Bank hosts an opening reception for an installation of original artwork by students from Monmouth County high schools (including Red Bank Regional HS, Rumson Fair Haven Regional HS and Middletown HS North), with the exhibit remianing on display through June 4.
    • 05.24 - Bob Burger The bespectacled master of all music (and friend to the scary famous) returns to Basil T's for several Friday night sets.
    • 05.24 - Goodbie Amy Appearing for some Friday night sets, at Walt Street Pub.
    • 05.24 - Rip Tide Appearing at Molly Maguire's Black Point Inn in Rumson.
    • 05.24 - Reservoir Doggs Appearing at The Downtown for several Friday night sets.
    • 05.24 - Daddy Pop Appearing at The Downtown for several Saturday night sets.
    • 05.25 - AAUW Used Booksale Thousands of best sellers, children's books, paperbacks, DVDs and more at bargain basement prices — as the American Association of University Women used book sale continues every Saturday (except holidays) in the spacious basement of the Old First Church in Middletown.
    • 05.25 - Spring Book Sale at Eastern Branch The Monmouth County Library's Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury hosts the annual sale, running during normal library hours for one more day only.
    • 05.25 - One on One Help with Your Resume at RBPL Red Bank Public Library offers hourlong sessions by appointment with librarian volunteers, who assist job seekers with creating or updating a resume to compete effectively in today's job market. Please call or visit the Reference Desk to sign up for this free program.
    • 05.25 - American Sign Language for Tweens The Middletown Main Library hosts a series of ASL instruction workshops for ages 8 to 12 (with tween instructors Sarah and Phoebe), each Sunday afternoon in May. Registration is required (click for phone and email links).
    • 05.25 - Steve and Johnny Appearing at Basil T's for several Saturday night sets.
    • 05.25 - Chris Roselle Appearing at Basil T's for several Friday night sets.
    • 05.25 - Summer Comedy Benefit at the Basie, starring Artie Lange and Rich Vos The nonprofit Rebuild Seaside organization presents the first in a series of shows at the Count Basie, dedicated to post Sandy rebuilding efforts in and around the Ocean County resort of Seaside Heights. Rich Vos (TV's Last Comic Standing) emcees a show that toplines the Red Bank return of king of most media (and Toms River resident) Artie Lange, plus Bonnie McFarlane, Chris DeStefano and Dave Saitzyk.
    • 05.25 - The Haven Appearing for some Saturday night sets, at Walt Street Pub.
    • 05.25 - Mike Plunkett Appearing at Molly Maguire's Black Point Inn in Rumson.
    • 05.26 - Sunday Morning Dialog at UUCMC As part of its May series of guest speaker events, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County in Lincroft hosts a group of homeschooling moms, in a discussion entitled 'Homeschooling in NJ, Not As Crazy As You Think.' Preceded at 8:45am with serving of bagels and coffee in the community room.
    • 05.26 - Red Bank Farmers Market Fresh, locally grown produce from some of New Jerseys finest farmers, plus equally homegrown crafts, at this Sunday morning staple running May through the end of November in the Galleria parking lot.
    • 05.26 - The Ribeye Brothers It's a Memorial Weekend tradition: classics like 'D.W.I.' and 'Drinkin' and Stinkin;' selections from the new release CALL OF THE SCRAPHEAP, and other prime cuts of red meat from the leaner (but no less meaner) poobahs of punk/ swamp/ garage frenzy — served up with gusto (and with The Neverly Brothers opening) outside The Dub.
    • 05.26 - Open Mic with Rob Dye and Mike Ghegan The Sunday night event is THE place to find musicians congregating, hanging out, trying new ideas, cutting up on some classics and generally enjoying one of the MUST events for Jersey Shore music fans.
    • 05.27 - Shrewsbury Borough Memorial Day Observation All are invited to the annual ceremony at Patriot Isle (corner of Route 35 and Sycamore Avenue), with the event followed by refreshments at Shrewsbury Hose Company #1 on Route 35, also the site for the ceremony in case of rain. Click for phone link to more info.
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