- CONTACT: Joel G. Cahn or George M. Cahn
- Cahn Communications
- (201) 996-9222
- 02 Jun 2003
LONG BRANCH, N.J. — Two restaurateurs have signed leases at Pier Village, kicking off what is expected to be a flurry of retail activity at the new mixed-use community under development along the oceanfront in the Monmouth County city of Long Branch.
Tim McLoone, area musician and owner of McLoone's Riverside Dining in Sea Bright, signed a 20-year lease for a 13,000-14,000 square-foot, freestanding restaurant. Stewart's Root Beer, the national '50's-style eatery, has also signed a 20-year lease to occupy 3,000 square feet of space.
The restaurants will join a host of other tenants at the $95 million Pier Village community, which when completed will offer 420 luxury residential residences and 100,000 square feet of retail space in a pedestrian-friendly, village setting.
"We're delighted to have such well-known establishments as McLoone's and Stewart's commit to this exciting new development," notes Greg Russo, Vice President of Applied Development Company, Pier Village's developer.
"Restaurants will certainly be a key component here, offering exceptional locations with ocean views and sidewalk seating."
The new McLoone's restaurant will be located between the beach and the boardwalk and will accommodate more than 500 diners — 300 on the main floor and 200 on a mezzanine level overlooking the ocean, said Tim McLoone. Outdoor seating will also be available on an open patio.
The classically-detailed building will reflect a Victorian theme that is to be carried out throughout the Pier Village community. Exterior elements will include a two-story deck and lots of windows. Inside, varied grading will be utilized to maximize views.
"It's like building a drive-in movie theater and the movie is the ocean," said McLoone, adding that it will be more casual than his Sea Bright restaurant to reflect its oceanfront ambiance. Catering will also be available for weddings and other events.
The Stewart's restaurant will feature the traditional offerings the franchises have been known for since 1924, including root beer floats, chili dogs, crinkle-cut fries and hamburgers. However, the Pier Village site will showcase the revamped restaurant franchise for the entire country, with an expanded menu of salads, chicken dishes, a variety of frozen drinks and more. The interior will continue the restaurant's 1950's theme. A half-moon, ice-cream bar will seat 12-to-15 people.
The new restaurants represent Applied's commitment to redefining the area's persona from a former seasonal resort area to a thriving downtown environment brimming with social activity year-round. Applied retained Williams Jackson Ewing, a nationally-renowned, full service retail specialist, to help achieve that goal.
"We're creating an upscale entertainment and cultural destination that is active 12 months a year," notes Lehr Jackson, a Williams Jackson Ewing principal. "In addition to the restaurants and cafes, we're planning a jazz club, a bakery café, a coffee shop, gourmet food stores, a seafood market and a wine store. Other retail uses are expected to include home furnishings, antiques, books, fashion, crafts, day spa/health, travel, a bank, and home entertainment."
Recreational and social activities will also play a role at Pier Village, including live theater, concerts, farmers markets, arts & crafts exhibits, food festivals, Easter egg hunts, Halloween pumpkin carving contests, and other holiday activities with ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides and decorations, Mr. Russo adds.
"We're also going to restore public access to the oceanfront with a new boardwalk and numerous walkways and bike paths," he says.
In addition to Pier Village, Applied is developing in partnership with the Matzel and Mumford Organization an adjacent oceanfront site featuring 283 townhomes and condominiums.
For more information on leasing retail space at Pier Village, please call (800) 266-0514.
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