Jimmy John’s has opened in the long-vacant former Wayne’s Market space on West Front Street. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
A few quick bites of Red Bank restaurant news for this edition of Retail Churn:
• A sub shop, co-owned by a member of Gaslight Anthem, has opened.
• Two restaurants in town have changed their names.
• Actually, three, if you count the former Brannigan’s. In case you missed it, the Wharf Avenue mainstay has a new moniker to go with a dramatically new look.
The outline of the sign for 10th Ave. Burrito, which was removed recently as part of name change. Below, the new Red Rock Tap + Grill replaces the former Brannigan’s. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
• Jimmy John’s Deli, a sandwich franchise co-owned by Matt Schaffert and Gaslight Anthem bassist Alex Levine, opened in the former Wayne’s Market space at 21 West Front Street Monday. Schaffert told Churn the business debuted with no fanfare so its staff could work out the kinks of the operation.
The national chain touts its offerings as “gourmet” sandwiches, and relies heavily on deliveries. But this store, with an ample 1,900 square feet and a number of tables, is expected to do well with walk-ins both from the lunchtime and bar-closing crowd.
Wayne’s, a purveyor of specialty meats, cheese and wines, was owned by Wayne Fisler, who died in 2012. The storefront has been vacant since then, and was acquired two years ago by Nima Nili and partners, who have extensive commercial property holdings in the neighborhood.
• Just a year into their venture, the partnership behind 10th Ave. Burrito has split, with founder Brian Katz writing on the Facebook page of his Belmar restaurant that it would “no longer have ANY affiliation with the old Red Bank location.”
Under remaining partners Greg Milano and Mike Gilson, the restaurant rebranded itself in late August as Caliente Cantina, with some slight modifications to the interior as well as additions to the menu, manager Steven Valentine tells Churn.
• Tommy’s Coal-Fired Pizza, in the Galleria of Red Bank building facing Shrewsbury Avenue at West Front Street, is now Urban Coalhouse, according to an announcement on its Facebook page.
Husband-and-wife Tommy’s founders Tommy and Yvette Bonfiglio split from their partners in that restaurant and two others in early 2015 and created Tommy’s Tavern + Tap on Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright.
• After a massive makeover, the former Brannigan’s, at 14 Wharf Avenue, has reopened as Red Rock Tap + Grill. The one-story, roughly triangular building now features outdoor decks and an open-air cupola with views of the Navesink.
