RED BANK: TOAST POPS UP

Oct 16, 2015

The widely anticipated revival of the former Broadway Diner on Monmouth Street in Red Bank as Toast restaurant was completed with a quiet opening Friday afternoon, moments after borough officials issued a certificate of occupancy.

Toast owner Amy Russo, whose late father was a partner in the 24-hour-a-day diner and closed it down 15 months ago, has maintained the stainless-steel exterior and classic look of the interior, though with ample decor changes. The menu, however, is new, as are the hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m, except for Saturday, October 17, when it opens at 8 a.m, an employee told redbankgreen.

[UPDATE: Owner Amy Russo Harrigan informs redbankgreen that Toast will open for friends and family on Saturday, be closed Sunday, and open for “business as usual” Monday morning.] (Click to enlarge)

October 16, 2015 - 3:43 pm |

CHURN: DELFINI OUT, TWO SWEET SHOPS IN

Sep 17, 2015

Randi Garfinkel with the chocolate fountain in the newly opened Chocolate Works. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

The neverending Churn of Red Bank stores and restaurants continued in recent weeks with a departure of an Italian deli on the West Side and the addition to Broad Street of two shops that take aim right at your craving for sweets.

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September 17, 2015 - 10:00 am |

CHURN: PROWN’S TO LEAVE RED BANK

Aug 26, 2015

Prown’s Home Improvements owner David Prown, seen at the Red Bank International Flavour Festival in April. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

After 90 years in Red Bank, Prown’s is leaving town.

The windows-and-doors dealer, a former five-and-dime that won enduring devotion as a retailer of “everything” needed for household upkeep, plans to move to Middletown, its owner said Wednesday.

More details, and news of a bagel store eyeing a Red Bank location, right around the “read more” corner.

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August 26, 2015 - 1:34 pm |

CHURN: SIGNS OF THE PAST… AND FUTURE

Aug 25, 2015

Builder Mike Rovere uncovered turn-of-the-century signs in gold leaf on either side of the facade at 18 Broad, home to a series of shoe stores dating back to 1883. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Summer doldrums? Not in this installment of redbankgreen’s Retail Churn, which finds downtown Red Bank abuzz with Churnage, as usual.

We’ve got renovation work uncovering history at the site of a planned restaurant; progress on two other new businesses; and more news, right around the “read more” corner.

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August 25, 2015 - 9:00 am |

RED BANK: DINER TO REOPEN AS TOAST

Jul 21, 2014

“Sorry, closed” is all sign in the door tells patrons of the Broadway Diner, where some 40 workers were shocked to learn they’d lost their jobs Monday. Below, workers emptying out the kitchen. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD & SUSAN ERICSON

Red Bank’s Broadway Diner, which closed abruptly Monday morning, will reopen as Toast Red Bank, according to a report in the Asbury Park Sun.

Following renovations, a reopening is expected in about about eight weeks, the Sun reported, quoting Amy Russo, Toast’s founder and the daughter of one of the diner’s owners.

Russo could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon, and an employee at her Asbury Park restaurant said she would probably not comment.

But the sudden closing in Red Bank stunned customers and employees alike.

“I just found out half an hour ago that I don’t have a job anymore,” an employee told a customer who had asked what she’d do now. “Can you imagine?”
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July 21, 2014 - 3:04 pm |

Red Bank Green

Serving Red Bank and Greater Red Bank, NJ

RED BANK: TOAST POPS UP

CHURN: DELFINI OUT, TWO SWEET SHOPS IN

CHURN: PROWN’S TO LEAVE RED BANK

CHURN: SIGNS OF THE PAST… AND FUTURE

RED BANK: DINER TO REOPEN AS TOAST