FAIR HAVEN: LAWYERS GET DOWN TO DUNKIN’
Planning board attorney Douglas Kovats, right, leads a joint swearing-in of witnesses at the February 19 hearing. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Even Fair Haven residents hopped up about a proposed Dunkin’ shop might want to fortify themselves with extra caffeine Thursday.
That’s because a zoning board hearing on the controversial plan could prove to be a seminar in arcane land use law.
SANDY HOOK: BOOZE BANNED
The first year of the ban will focus on educating the public about the change, though repeat offenders will face fines, officials said. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Suntanning beachgoers and devotees of the summertime concerts at Sandy Hook can kiss their favorite alcoholic beverages goodbye.
Citing 328 alcohol-related incidents between 2016 and 2018, officials have banned all forms of booze from the waterfront park, the last public beach in New Jersey where it was still allowed.
RED BANK: DUNKIN’ CONTINUES SLOW DRIP
A rendering of the new Shell station and Dunkin’ shop at Newman Springs Road and Shrewsbury Avenue. (Drawing by Dynamic Engineering PC. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
After an 11-week lull, the owner of a Red Bank gas station continued his bid to build a Dunkin’ shop for Parkway-bound commuters Thursday night with a revised plan.
This one shrinks the proposed coffee shop, eliminates interior seating and adds more space for vehicles to use the drive-thru service.
LITTLE SILVER: BAG & STRAW BAN PENDING
The Carvel store on Prospect Avenue would be the first in the chain to drop plastic straws and cups, says owner Jessica Newman. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
With a recycling problem taking hold across America, Little Silver appears set to become the first town on the Greater Red Bank Green to ban plastic straws and store bags.
An ordinance introduced last week has the reluctant support of local retailers, borough officials say.
FAIR HAVEN: DUNKIN’ PLAN UNDER APPEAL
The Dunkin’ shop would occupy space alongside a new breezeway in the Acme shopping center. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
The spillover crowd that was treated to an hour of arcane legal arguments over a proposed Dunkin’ Donuts in Fair Haven last month may soon get a free refill.
Lawyers for two objectors have filed appeals over whether the planning board has jurisdiction to hear the coffee shop’s application, leading to a detour in the case, redbankgreen has confirmed.
FAIR HAVEN: DUNKIN’ GETS SPILLOVER CROWD
The shop would occupy newly renovated space formerly home to Laird’s stationery store. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Fair Haven residents steamed over the possibility of a Dunkin’ Donuts opening in town had to keep a lid on it Tuesday night.
Instead, a three-hour planning board hearing that required a change of venue to accommodate a spillover crowd was dominated by occasionally hostile cross-examination of a traffic consultant by lawyers representing two objectors.
RED BANK: GREEK FOOD, FLOWERS, ART & HAIR
Mayflowers of Red Bank took over half the Wharf Avenue space long used by Chetkin Framing, which remains next door. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
A new Greek restaurant opens in Red Bank Friday, joining a flower shop that made its debut last week.
This edition of redbankgreen‘s ever-trawling Retail Churn pops in on each for the story, while serving up a bouquet of news about more planned business openings. Read on for details.
RED BANK: PASTRY, PIZZA AND MORE
Anthony Campitello, with daughters Cristina, left, and Angie, has opened Alfonso’s Pastry Shop in the Broad Street space that was formerly home to Carlo’s Bake Shop. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Meet the new boss.
Quickly filling a retail space vacated by famed TV ‘Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro, a new pastry shop opened in Red Bank Wednesday, offering creamy desserts… and some perhaps unexpected savory items. Read More
FAIR HAVEN: DUNKIN’ DONUTS BREWS DEBATE
Plans for the former Laird’s Stationery space in Fair Haven have borough residents abuzz. What’s Going On Here? Click ‘read more’ for the answer. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
RED BANK: TACOHOLICS TO GET THEIR FIX
Tacoholics plans to covert the storefront at 90 Broad Street to a 27-seat restaurant. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Another eatery that got its start as a food truck won a green light from the Red Bank planning board Monday night.
RED BANK: DUNKIN’ PLAN RAISES CONCERNS
The Shell station at Newman Springs Road and Shrewsbury Avenue would be rebuilt with a Dunkin’ Donuts shop on site. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
A bid to create a last-chance coffee stop in Red Bank for Parkway-bound commuters got underway at the zoning board Thursday night.
Among the issues: what if it’s really popular?
RED BANK: CORNER BUILDING SOLD
Vacant more than four years, 1 Broad Street has a new owner. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
This edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn has news of a jewelry shop opening and a long-vacant, high-profile store space changing hands.
RED BANK: BANK CHURNS OUT, STATIONERY IN
Vicky Li’s new Mini Shop opened Saturday. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
A bank branch closes and two new businesses open in downtown Red Bank.
Read all about it in this edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn.
RED BANK: SPAGHETTI WITH SANTA
Volunteers at the Salvation Army Corps in Red Bank hosted about a dozen borough senior citizens for a spaghetti-and-meatballs Christmas supper with Santa Claus Tuesday evening.
Assistant Commander Mhairi Sweaton said the post hopes to make the event an annual one and grow the number of attendees, with particular emphasis on hosting seniors who may be shut-ins. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
RED BANK: PASTRIES TO FILL ‘CAKE BOSS’ SPOT
A Staten Island-based pastry shop plans to set up shop in the former Carlo’s Bake Shop at 86 Broad Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
One pastry shop replaces another; work to transform a century-old firehouse into an interior design shop gets underway; a boutique closes; and a gourmet lunch spot in Red Bank’s Riverside Gardens Park pulls down the shutters for the winter.
Read all about it in this edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn.
RED BANK: GROWING TOURNEY RAISES $15K
A Fair Haven ball carrier looks for an opening against Rumson, and cheerleaders go airborne, below. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
A flag-football tournament that grew out of a pickup game in Little Silver marked its 17th anniversary last Friday with gridiron contests for kids, women and men from eight towns.
Along the way, the event, now held in Red Bank, raised $15,000 for Lunch Break, the social services organization based just a block away.
RED BANK: BON JOVI WARMS UP CENTER
Jon Bon Jovi at the ribbon cutting for the Hope & Comfort Warming Center, at 166 Shrewsbury Avenue, below. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
With a surprise snowstorm hinting at the need, a new ‘warming center’ for homeless men opened in Red Bank Thursday.
The warmup act for the ribbon cutting? None other than pop superstar Jon Bon Jovi.
RED BANK: PORK ROLL, ASIAN EATS & BREWS
John Yarusi in the newly opened Johnny’s Pork Roll & Coffee. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank’s ever-changing dining scene continued its rotisserie spin in recent days with three restaurant openings.
Read all about them in edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn.
SHREWSBURY: SUPERMARKET OPENS
Grocery shoppers on the Greater Red Bank Green will have another sourcing option with the planned opening of a new ShopRite supermarket in Shrewsbury Wednesday morning.
RED BANK: TACOS, GREEK FOOD, GIFTS & MORE
Tacoholics, which started out as a food truck, plans to open its third restaurant next month, this one at 90 Broad Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
We got tacos. We got Greek food. We got a gift shop and a florist.
All the makings of a heaping autumn update to redbankgreen‘s long-running Retail Churn feature. Read on for details.
RED BANK: RED TANK BUBBLES TO LIFE
John Arcara in the newly completed, 100-seat Red Tank Brewing microbrewery earlier this week. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Two years from dream to reality, Red Tank Brewing is set to open in the heart of Red Bank Thursday night, the start of a new venture for wedding photographers John and Lovina Arcara.
It may also be the start of a fresh wave of craft suds in town.
RED BANK: SUNSHINE, OYSTERS & MELANIE
An ideal day of sunshine and early-autumn temperatures drew thousands of foodies and music lovers — including fans of folk singer Melanie, at right — to downtown Red Bank for the ninth annual Guinness Oyster Festival Sunday.
An alumnus of both Red Bank Regional and Woodstock, Melanie played a short set and signed autographs.
As usual, the roving camera of redbankgreen was there to document the merriment. Check out our photos below to see if you or anyone you caught our eye. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
RED BANK: JON STEWART STAR-POWERS LUNCH
Comedian Jon Stewart brought some star power to lunchtime at the Count Basie Center for the Arts Wednesday.
RED BANK: PORK ROLL, FRESH OFF THE TRUCK
Johnny’s Pork Roll plans to open in the space last occupied by Fizz at 8A Monmouth Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
As live-reported by redbankgreen, Johnny’s Pork Roll & Coffee truck made its debut by risking a summons for doing business where it wasn’t allowed: on the streets of Red Bank.
Now, five years later, John Yarusi’s two-truck enterprise is going legit with a brick-and-mortar stake in the borough’s downtown.
Read all about the plan, and other recent turnover activity, in this edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn.