Tables are set for a possible Thursday night opening of Blue Water Seafood at 9 Broad Street. (Click to enlarge)

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI

On Red Bank’s Broad Street, a hustle job is in the works, while over on East Front, they’re fishing for new customers.

Blue Water Seafood Company owner Jimmy Vastardis is hauling it to get his new restaurant, at 9 Broad, open by this evening, he tells redbankgreen. But a boatload of last-minute must-dos from the borough fire inspector may mean the two-story, glass-fronted place won’t open until Friday night, Vastardis says.

Pride Bait & Tackle opened its doors on East Front Street in time for Memorial Day weekend. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge)

In other Retail Churn news…

Fair Haven resident Max Berry is still running in circles putting the finishing touches in his shop, Pride Bait & Tackle, but was able to open in time for Memorial Day weekend.

He’s still got a couple shipments of merchandise left to receive, but he’s nearly stocked with rods, reels, lines, lures and assorted fishing gear.

And singing a different tune than many new merchants in recent memory, Berry said the quick turnaround — he gained approval to open in the beginning of May — couldn’t have happened without serious help from borough hall. The council, after receiving numerous complaints that red tape is at least difficult and in some cases torturous, is making a concerted effort to make it easier for new businesses to move in.

“I got my permits probably quicker than you would imagine. Every step of the way (the borough) was right there with me,” Berry said. “It was a huge team effort.”

Meanwhile, Filakia Children’s Boutique, at 15 White Street, moved out of town Tuesday. Owner Eleni Thermos said she’ll continue the business online until she finds a new space, which may or may not be in Red Bank.