Latest Press
Posted on: 12/31/2008
By RICHARD VIRGILIO
Recapping the 2008, the biggest downer this year - by far - that I have been hearing about was Metro Homes not continuing construction of the Esperanza, after announcing in December of 2007 that the project was temporarily on hold.
The biggest overall joy expressed was the makeover and re-launch of our boardwalk and all the great new businesses. I frequently hear, "Next summer is going to be fantastic" (or amazing or spectacular, basically insert any effusive adjective into the quote).
A few, more personal, thoughts from residents and friends of Asbury Park about the greatest moments of 2008.
Sonja O'Brien:
The Fourth of July is a vision that still burns bright in my memory. Sitting on the beach watching the dazzling fireworks light up the Fifth Avenue beach and boardwalk area, revealing hundreds of smiling faces basking in the glow of how great our little jewel-by-the sea has become. Truly magical.
Bob Egan:
Hmm... best of 2008, for me, was... finally seeing the top of the former Howard Johnson's open and have a cabaret in town. It's been a vision of mine for almost five years. Also, having lunch on Dec. 4, 60 degrees, on the boardwalk, and saying ‘hello' to Bruce Springsteen. An "Asbury Park Moment."
Marjorie Conn:
Seeing a police officer showing compassion for all living things brought joy to my heart. I was walking on the beach in Asbury Park early one morning and I saw an officer putting something in a cage and asked what it was. He had just rescued an injured seagull and was taking the gull to be cared for at a wildlife rescue facility.
Kathy Ragauckas:
The best was seeing fireworks while it was snowing during December's First Saturday downtown.
Jennifer Quandt:
Walking on the beach and spending time at the Beach Bar, in 80 degree weather, one weekend in October. It was wonderful - we used one of the photos from that weekend for our Christmas card this year.
Jeffrey Haveson:
I have had an amazing opportunity to meet the most eclectic mix of great people. People that I would not have had the opportunity to meet had I been anywhere else. For that, I am forever grateful.
To say 2008 has had its bumps is an understatement, however if we focus on the positive, remain energized and passionate, together - as the community we all love - we can make 2009 a great year. Our city is used to climbing steep hills. Yes, it does get exhausting, however now is not the time to be a victim. Let's take a fresh look at everything here and keep it moving. We will come out of this bigger, better and stronger. I know it.
Best wishes in 2009. Tons of hugs and good energy to you in the New Year.
Posted on: 12/08/2008
by Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger
Friday December 05, 2008, 8:00 AM
Move over Beverly Hills. In a first for New Jersey's downtowns, Asbury Park has introduced a concierge service for holiday shoppers.
Centrally located on the city's boardwalk, the concierge will help visitors make restaurant reservations, get tickets to music events in the city's clubs and theaters, or find that special gift in one of the local shops or boutiques.
The concierge booth will be open tomorrow, before and after the tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. (Preceded by a concert by Tim McLoone & the Shirleys at 5 p.m.) Regular hours through the holiday season will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Monday.
The upscale service, funded by the developer that's working to revive the city's boardwalk, is another amenity aimed at bringing off-season visitors to the Jersey Shore music mecca. A host of new restaurants and shops have opened since the summer, and there's entertainment at Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre, as well as the citys' clubs and bars. Movies, free concerts and other events are planned along the Boardwalk every weekend through the end of the year.
Officials in Montclair and New Brunswick -- two towns that know something about vibrant nightlife -- were jealous, saying a concierge is a terrific idea that's just out of their reach.
It's a smart move on Asbury's part, since the city is still fashioning its reputation as one of the state's most attractive destinations.
Posted on: 12/07/2008
ASBURY PARK - With the smell of fresh baked goods from inside the Grand Arcade and the sounds of holiday music performed by Tim McLoone and the Shirleys on the boardwalk, the holiday season was in the crisp, cool air Saturday night in front of Convention Hall.
Sponsored by Madison Marquette, the city held not one, but two simultaneous holiday tree-lightings Saturday night, one inside the Grand Arcade and the other on the boardwalk.
"This is a special event to celebrate the boardwalk and the waterfront and all of our merchants along the boardwalk and in the Grand Arcade," said Gary Mottola, president of Madison Marquette.
"Asbury Park is all about entertainment, music, events and celebrations. That's what its history is. I think that's the soul of the community and the heart of the community, so we want to have a celebration," Mottola said.
About 100 people stood, some danced and sang, outside of Convention Hall as the band played holiday songs before the lighting of the trees. The outside tree stood about 20 feet tall and was placed over the entrance to the Grand Arcade.
Inside Convention Hall, white holiday lights were strung across the ceiling of the arcade and holiday wreaths hung on the windows and doors of the stores and restaurants. The second tree, which measured over 30 feet tall, donned red ornaments in the center of the arcade among the many stores and restaurants.
After a countdown from 10, special guest Debbie DeLisa, co-owner of the Wonder Bar and native of Asbury Park, had the task of lighting both trees.
"This is a very big honor," DeLisa said. "I'm really proud to be lighting the trees, and Christmas is such a special time. It's great," she said.
Sitting on a bench on the boardwalk and taking in the sounds of the band with her family, Erin Looft of Ocean Grove said she came out to see a film earlier in the day at The Paramount, and to hear the music.
"It's a great coordinated effort for the community. They make it easier for us to get in the spirit," said Susan Bell, Looft's mother. "It's kind of hard to get in the spirit this year with finances the way they are," Bell said.
Newcomers to the tree-lighting, James and Dawn Young of Neptune, said their family came to support the boardwalk and Asbury Park.
"It's a total transformation, and it's so good to see because Asbury Park is such a great place to be," said Dawn.
By CHRISTINA VEGA • COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU • December 7, 2008
Posted on: 11/10/2008
ASBURY PARK - Unbowed in the face of national economic turmoil, the Asbury Park music community rallied firm Saturday in its resolve to continue to stand behind the city's renaissance and to carry it into the future.
"In the end, it's all about the song and the performance," said Scott Stamper, co-owner of The Saint nightclub, as he and Adam Weisberg kicked off their 16th annual Asbury Music Awards celebration at The Stone Pony. "There certainly are hard times ahead, but music and entertainment will see us through."
The event provided fans, artists and insiders the opportunity to reflect on what many believe was a banner year for the Asbury Park music scene.
"We're coming off an incredible summer," said Kyle Brendle, Stone Pony house promoter. "A sold-out Fourth of July weekend with Southside (Johnny) and Moe. Billy Idol, which, from the fans' perspective, couldn't have gotten much better. We had Bob Dylan in August, that was like a papal blessing for us.
"I think our biggest achievement this year, though, has been re-establishing Asbury Park as a national market, through Live Nation scheduling Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre in conjunction with Madison Marquette fully opening the Grand Arcade," added Brendle, who was honored at the show with this year's Living Legend award. "There are amenities now that really provide a support system for concertgoers. The pavilions are coming alive. The Asbury Park boardwalk is full-on again. To see throngs of people out there, it's definitely the brightest spot in our music scene right now."
Escorted to The Stone Pony stage by a duet of kimono-clad beauties, host Joe Harvard maintained an upbeat, comedic tone throughout the show.
Harvard began the evening by introducing a short film by Mallory Massara of Asbury Park, which re-edited a portion of the Bruce Lee classic "Fist of Fury" to star various Asbury Music Award nominees.
With event regulars such as Status Green and Last Perfect Thing away on tour, the live-performance portion of this year's awards featured a host of younger up-and-coming acts, including Lost in Society, Last Days of Empire, The Eryn Shewell Band, Delft and Outside the Box.
The Stone Pony's summer 2008 house band, Outside the Box - Jeff Cafone, Warren Thieleman, Mark Masefield and Francis Valentino - took home awards for Top Young Band and Top Blues Band.
The popular "Best Thing to Happen . . . " award this year went to Asbury favorite Rick Barry, for launching his "Night in Progress" live performance series at The Saint. Barry's monthly event spotlights new material from local songwriters that so far have included George Wirth, Keith Monacchio, Bret Mosley, Justin Hillman, Tommy Strazza, Kelly Carvin and Glen Burtnik.
"This award really goes to Scott (Stamper) and all the artists who played and made it a great night," Barry said.
The more than 30 awards given out at the ceremony included nods to Top Rock Band (Last Perfect Thing), Top Local Release (Arlan Feiles' "Come Sunday Morning"), Top Punk/Ska Band (The Sex Zombies), Top Indie Rock Band (The Obvious), Top Jersey Roots Band (Maybe Pete), Top Heavy Rock Band (Sekond Skyn), Top Jam Band (Green Tag Sale), Top Live Performance (Status Green) and Top Groove Band (Turtle Soup).
"Being recognized at the AMAs (Asbury Music Awards), that does mean something," said Turtle Soup keyboardist Ben Feld. "When you're trying to get noticed by different venues, yeah, people do pay attention to these types of things."
"Winning here is huge in helping us take what we do from a local to a regional level," said Jeff "Mudd" Mahajan, the band's guitarist. "Larger jam band festivals, for example, are definitely responsive to our success. I mean, the better we do, the better they do."
By Stephen Bove • STAFF WRITER
Asbury Park Press
Posted on: 11/10/2008
Seated on the wide veranda watching the deep blue sky meet the sand as waves crested on shore, I had thoughts of being at a restaurant at a Caribbean resort. Instead, it's a "staycation" stop at the Beach Bar in Asbury Park. The Beach Bar is just one of several seaside eateries to debut along the revamped boardwalk since the summer.
Dining options include everything from classic Boardwalk food at Biggies Clam Bar to the sophisticated nouveau Jersey cuisine menu at the Salt Water Beach Café on the lower level of Tim McLoone's Supper Club in what used to be the Howard Johnson's restaurant.
Newly erected pavilions along Ocean Avenue house a careful mix of fast-food restaurants. It may be too soon to tell if the Asbury Park boardwalk is turning from a shabby, unchic location into a seaside food lover's paradise, but developer Madison Marquette has been careful to ensure there is now an eatery for every palate.
Courtney Johnson, marketing director for Madison Marquette, says the company wanted a mix that worked for the restaurants as well as a diverse selection of eateries that offered a complete experience for consumers.
Eateries are continuing to open (recent arrivals include Langosta Lounge), and they have contracts with an option to stay open through November if the weather is good.
Asbury Park City Manager Terence Reidy said the selection is better than ever.
"The biggest change is there are more restaurants (including) O'Toole's ... And there are more restaurants coming on the south end. That's something that's very new for the boardwalk and very positive."
In addition, the Mayfair Grille has been there for 20 years but shouldn't be overlooked, in addition to more traditional, smaller venues like La Plaza Cubana, the Cuban sandwich place.
"Madison Marquette has done a good job in terms of the mix," says Caroline O'Toole, general manager for a number of entertainment venues, including the Paramount Theater and The Stone Pony. "It distinguishes itself from other boardwalks."
By Ingrid Sturgis
Metromix
Posted on: 11/07/2008
ASBURY PARK - The up-close view of the historic Casino Arcade and wide expanse of sea from the top dining floor at Stella Marina creates such a moment of past and present coming together that it was bound to be a hit whenever the trattoria-style Italian restaurant opened.
But for a brief time in October, it seemed that owners Joseph and Michael Cetrulo, Ken Mansfield and Dennis Tafuri were going to hold off on that opening until spring, instead of joining in boardwalk developer Madison Marquette's winter venture to maneuver the dozens of shops, restaurants and musical venues popular this summer into a year-round destination.
"I was originally told 2 1/2 weeks ago we were waiting until April, and then they called me up and said we're ready to do this now," said Aaron Bernstein, Stella Marina's executive chef, in a recent interview. "Now, it's really coming."
Gary Mottola, president of Madison Marquette investments, is not deviating from his plan. Most of his two dozen boardwalk venues that created the beachfront excitement this summer are staying open at a minimum from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays during the cold winter months ahead, a time when beachfront businesses in many nearby towns shut down.
Stella Marina, which will serve $11 pizzas, $17 pasta and entrees priced from $18.99 to $29.99, is the latest Cetrulo brothers restaurant in New Jersey and New York and is expected to open the weekend of Nov. 15, along with Russell Lewis's trendy Watermark lounge and Eddie Catalano's new bagel, sub and ice cream shop, all in the First Avenue Pavilion.
A little to the north on the boardwalk, Marilyn Schlossbach, her husband, Scott Szegeski, and brother, Richard Schlo-
ssbach, are opening their Langosta Lounge restaurant next to their Lightly Salted Surf Shop and Pop's Garage Taco Bar, which opened in the summer.
Schlossbach, whose previous city restaurant, Market in the Middle, helped revive the downtown about a year before Old Man Rafferty's arrived at the Steinbach building, said her new menu will feature "vacation cuisine" from their surfing travels to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and Corsica.
And once again, her business will be a place to bolster her community. A free cooking school for city children 9 to 13 years old will be held one night a week through the winter.
Stella Marina will be an anchor at the southern end. Tim McLoone's Salt Water Beach Cafe and upstairs Supper Club is at the northern end, next to Convention Hall.
"Our business plan is we have three great restaurants - two bookend the boardwalk and one is in the middle (Langosta Lounge)," Mattola said in a recent interview.
"We think it's really important for us and the city as a whole to make the waterfront a true year-round destination," he said. "Of course, it is an extraordinarily stressful time financially. Everyone's going to experience some decline."
So far, in a short time, Madison Marquette has invested $60 million in remaking the boardwalk, money that came from $500 in private equity funds and carries no debt. Madison Marquette also spent just under $50 million to buy out Kushner Cos.'s Wesley Grove lakeside condominium project last winter.
"We have spent $60 million so far on just the boardwalk and entertainment venues and have no debt on this," Mottola said. "In today's market, being debt-free is very important."
He believes the music venues at the renovated Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre, The Stone Pony and the Wonder Bar - all owned by Madison Marquette with concerts lined up by Live Nation - can drive the boardwalk through the winter.
"If they're successful, we're successful," he said. "We really believe in the fact that this is a special destination. The only question in the sustainability of this is how long will it take to truly achieve year-round."
He said Madison Marquette had to roll out the new boardwalk pavilions and renovate Convention Hall as quickly as possible to create an exciting happening in the city and also because of the looming financial crisis.
"I firmly believe it had to be shock therapy, a major event that occurred," Mottola said. "Doing one building at a time wasn't going to do it. I was very concerned.
"We think this is a special entertainment experience, and, unless people drop off a cliff and say they can't afford a dime on entertainment, we think this is a very affordable experience."
Mottola said the city and police department helped make the boardwalk's success possible.
"The feedback is that the perception of Asbury Park changed from a challenging and dangerous place in a few short months," he said.
One of the incentives for the boardwalk tenants was that they pay a percentage of their profits to Madison Marquette rather than a straight rental fee, helping to reduce their risk if they don't make money.
City Manager Terence Reidy said the new establishments will be important anchors for the boardwalk.
He said Schlossbach lives a sustainable philosophy in bringing people and causes together through her business.
"Just that alone, besides the fact that her food is great, speaks to who we are as a city and serves as a model for businesses to follow," Reidy said.
Lewis, who opened the successful Baker Boys bakery in Convention Hall in the summer, said his close to 8,000 square-foot Watermark upstairs in the First Avenue Pavilion will be a contemporary, sophisticated but comfortable cocktail lounge with a small menu of food from Stella Marina next door. He stressed that it is open to all.
"No rope line, no admission fee - we're inclusive," he said.
"I think ultimately we can establish Asbury Park as a year-round entertainment destination," Lewis said. "I think it's going to take two or three seasons to do that, but I believe the foundation is here."
By Nancy Shields Asbury Park Press
Posted on: 10/28/2008
Boardwalk reborn
A seaside food lover's paradise is brewing in Asbury Park
Story by INGRID STURGIS
Photography by MICHAEL SYPNIEWSKI
4074 Magazine
Seated on the wide veranda watching the deep blue sky meet the sand as waves crested on shore, I had thoughts of being at a restaurant at a Caribbean resort. Instead, it's a "staycation" stop at the Beach Bar in Asbury Park. The Beach Bar is just one of several seaside eateries to debut along the revamped boardwalk since the beginning of summer.
Dining options include everything from "classic Boardwalk food" at Biggies Clam Bar to the sophisticated nouveau Jersey cuisine menu at the Salt Water Beach Café on the lower level of Tim McLoone's Supper Club in what used to be the Howard Johnson's restaurant. Newly erected pavilions along Ocean Avenue house a careful mix of fast-food restaurants. It may be too soon to tell if the Asbury Park boardwalk is turning from a shabby, unchic location into a seaside food lover's paradise, but developer Madison Marquette has been careful to ensure there is now an eatery for every palate.
General Manager Steven Ranuro,
shucks clams at Biggies Clam Bar.
Courtney Johnson, marketing director for Madison Marquette, says the company wanted a mix that worked for the restaurants as well as a diverse selection of eateries that offered a complete experience for consumers.
Eateries are continuing to open. Recent openings include Snack Attack, Langosta Lounge, Pop's Garage Taco Bar, and Eddie Confetti Ice Cream and Café, and Stella Marina is coming soon. They all have contracts with an option to stay open through November if the weather is good.
Asbury Park City Manager Terence Reidy said the selection is better than ever. "The biggest change is there are more restaurants, from Biggies Clam Bar to O'Toole's to Sea Greens, a health- food restaurant. And there are more restaurants coming on the south end. That's something that's very new for the boardwalk and very positive."
In addition, the Mayfair Grille has been there for 20 years but shouldn't be overlooked, in addition to more traditional, smaller venues like La Plaza Cubana, the Cuban sandwich place.
There are a tremendous amount of options, from a formal nightclub like McLoone's to beachy clam bar food like Biggies and new offerings like Sea Greens that make them very special and unique to Asbury Park.
"Madison Marquette has done a good job in terms of the mix,'' says Caroline O'Toole, general manager for a number of entertainment venues, including the Paramount Theater and The Stone Pony. "It distinguishes itself from other boardwalks." O'Toole, like many of the other restaurateurs, said she hopes the boardwalk will be able to stay open year-round.
more: http://www.app.com/4074/nov2008/hautetable/hautetable.html
Posted on: 10/23/2008
ASBURY PARK: Madison Marquette has announced some upcoming boardwalk events.
First, starting at 11 a.m. Sunday in the Carousel building, children and teenagers will get to create their own scarecrows with artist Laura Brunetti. Also, the children's film, "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit," will be shown for free at 2 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre and McLoone's Salt Water Beach Cafe will offer brunch at noon.
On Oct. 30, a costume parade will be held on the boardwalk with free costumes available on a first-come basis. It starts at 4 p.m. outside the Carousel. Stores will be open.
Nancy Shields
Asbury Park Press
Posted on: 10/23/2008
A Fall Family Festival, featuring scarecrow creating, a hay maze, a ghoul night and costume parade, kicks off Sun., Oct. 26 on the Asbury Park boardwalk.
The festivities begin at 11 a.m. with children and teens invited to create their own scarecrows with the guidance and help of acclaimed artist Laura Brunetti of L'Estrella Studio's Traveling Canvas.
Brunetti has been a creative force on the boardwalk all summer with her Traveling Canvas project which allows children to express themselves through art. She is now offering more fall festive fun with Scarecrow Building in the Carousel on First Avenue. All materials are supplied free of charge.
McLoone's Salt Water Beach Café is offering ‘Brunch for the Bunches', a special menu for all ages at noon. Families can dine at McLoone's outdoor ocean view café and enjoy the view of the magnificent beachfront. Finally, a free children's animated film is being presented in the newly refurbished Paramount Theatre at 2:00 pm, Wallace and Grommit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
The frolicking continues with ‘Family Ghoul Night' on Thursday, Oct 30. A Boardwalk Costume Parade starting outside the Grand Carousel begins at 4 pm. Costumes are available for free on a first come basis, so get there early to prepare for Trick or Treating which starts at 5 p.m.
All of the new retail shops on the boardwalk are ready to greet trick-or-treaters with Halloween sweets for all little ghouls and boys. Grown-ups will enjoy shopping for themselves or for others - early Holiday shopping has never been easier.
More features on ‘Family Ghoul Night' include hay rides starting at the Carousel and a hay maze on the boardwalk at Second Ave. Visitors are invited to pick a pumpkin, artisinal cheeses or delicious baked goods at the ‘Harvest Market' inside the Carousel.
The Coaster
Posted on: 10/23/2008
No one has to pay to park on the Asbury Park beachfront from now until May.
The City Council made the decision to suspend paid parking on the city beachfront until May 15.
The decision was made based on the recommendation of the city's Parking Committee.
Business owners, residents and visitors to the beach had been complaining about the parking meters since their inception in August. Additionally, boardwalk business owners, who recently agreed to terms with developer Madison Marquette to remain open Thursdays through Mondays throughout the winter, told the council that paid parking enforcement during that period would hurt business.
Councilman Ed Johnson said the moratorium would give the council and Parking Committee the opportunity to review and improve the overall parking plan. The council, he said, is going to continue to work on a permanent universal parking ordinance which will be implemented next May.
Johnson also said there will be an extensive public outreach and information campaign prior to reinstatement of parking meter enforcement, to "work out any possible kinks" before the Memorial Day weekend. Paid parking will resume two weeks before the holiday weekend.
"We are going to reach out to the community like we should have done before, so no one can say they were taken by surprise," Johnson said.
As for the current moratorium, Johnson said notices may be placed on parking meters so people know they are not in service.
"We're happy they took this step," said Cristi Laudisi, manager of Corazza, a vintage shop on in the First Avenue Pavilion. "It's going to be better for business and better for the town," said Laudisi who, along with Corazza owner Kathleen Banks, vigorously petitioned City Council at recent meetings to reconsider paid parking for the winter.
David Williams, co-owner of Posh Den in the Third Avenue Pavilion, was also relieved with council's decision. Although he said his store was not too affected by the paid parking situation overall because it is located directly across from a free lot owned by Madison Marquette, "philosophically I think it's a great idea. I mean, it just makes sense," he said.
The Coaster
