The new seafood restaurant could be in operation as early as this month, a partner says. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Upping their stake in downtown Red Bank, the owners of the yet-to-open Gotham bar have acquired the former Blue Water Seafood just up the block, a partner confirmed Thursday.
Joseph Squillaro tells Retail Churn that he and his co-investors, who include a Shrewsbury anesthesiologist, hope to open both Broad Street businesses by the end of October, with the seafood restaurant rebranded as ‘Catch.’
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The same owners are building Gotham as a speakeasy-themed gastropub in the former home of Hamilton Jewelers. (Click to enlarge)
“There’s not much to do in there,” Squillaro said of the former Blue Water space, at 9 Broad. “Just some permits, and we need to redo the menu, hire staff.”
Squillaro said Catch will be managed by executive chef Dominic Rizzo, who’s been brought in to partner with Squillaro, Colin Dudick and Shrewsbury anesthesiologist Ted Kutzin – the trio that owns Gotham, at 19 Broad, in the former home of Hamilton Jewelers.
Meanwhile, construction is underway at Gotham, with an eye toward opening by the end of the month. The business is billed as a gastropub that will feature comedy acts, live jazz and DJ music.
Gotham, however has yet to conclude its purchase of the last uncommitted liquor license in town. The partners are paying Dublin House owners Eugene Devlin and Sean Dunne $700,000 for the license they acquired as an investment from the dissolution of Ashes Cigar Bar for $395,000 in November, 2010.
Squillaro said the deal is still in “paperwork.” It must be cleared by the state Alcohol and Beverage Control agency as well as the borough council.
Squillaro, Dudick and a third investor also own Indulge Lounge, a martini bar in Long Branch’s Pier Village that Squillaro manages.
