Proposed 3-story commercial building in the National Historic District of Ocean Grove. 50-54 Main Avenue.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.
On February 6, 2015, a devastating fire broke out on Main Avenue and destroyed an entire 3- story building at 50-54 Main Avenue. Lost in that fire were Yvonne’s Restaurant, Smuggler’s Cove, Fusion Jewelry and seven upstairs apartments. 48 Main Ave. was damaged, and that’s where The Barbaric Bean coffee shop was. The fire was ruled non-suspicious.
On July 15, Kurt Cavano of Ocean Grove, the owner, appeared at the HPC to obtain approval of his plans to rebuild at the site. The three story building will be called “The Phoenix.” The plans show a Victorian design for the replacement. It will have up-to-date construction features and will house Yvonne’s Restaurant on the first and part of the second floors. Smuggler’s will return as will Fusion. That leaves room for yet another store. Unfortunately, another coffee shop is not in the cards.
The HPC approved the project with some minor changes. It is described as a mixed use commercial building. Two architects are mentioned on the plans: Mark Alexander Pavliv AIA of Ocean Grove and Brendan T. McHugh of Manasquan.
The Phoenix will have an elevator. There will be 6 residential units on the second and third floors. The restaurant will occupy about 966 square feet on the first floor in addition to 220 SF on the second. The three retail stores will be small, averaging about 550 SF each.
Below are two links about the fire:
www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2015/02/ocean_grove_fire_not_suspicious_police_say.html
BLOSSOM DEARIE:
Thank you Kurt and family for caring about Ocean Grove and working to bring back our small but vital “down town” The fire has left a gap and you are helping our economy with your time and money. I for one thank you for not taking the insurance money and walking away.