Main Avenue. Starting from far left: Pet Boutique, April Cornell, DJ’s Market, and DJ’s Delights (a restaurant.) Blogfinger photo. Dec 4, 2017
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
A few weeks ago we heard that the Pet Boutique on Main Avenue would close, but that is all the facts which were then available. But now, some reliable sources have provided more information about three adjacent stores which will close.
The common thread for all these stores has to do with the landlord who owns #60 Main Avenue, the location of all three businesses: Pet Boutique, April Cornell, and DJ’s Market (groceries.)
Evidently the rents are being raised “significantly.” In addition, some months ago, there was flooding in the building damaging the ceilings of these shops, resulting in temporary interior framing being installed to prevent collapse. And the owner is evidently expecting the tenants to help pay for repairs.
The owner of #60 Main is Sackman Enterprises, aka Linus Holding Co. This is an established real estate company based in NYC and surrounding states including 6 properties in Asbury Park
One year ago we wrote about the owner’s plans for this building. The links are below:
58-60 Main Avenue plans 2016 BF post
In the case of the Pet Boutique,”there are some other elements including the desire of the shop owner to retire. That store will close on Dec. 31 and it will be missed by the pet owners in town.
DJ,s will close its grocery store, but the adjacent DJ,s restaurant on the corner (pizza, sandwiches, etc.) will stay open.
April Cornell, probably the most famous and unique shop in town, is reluctantly planning to leave the Grove and move to larger quarters in Spring Lake. Evidently they were unable to find a suitable replacement location in town.
The manager of April Cornell asked that we make it clear that the business is not closing—-just changing its location, and that won’t happen until April, 2018.
The new white building at #50-54 Main Avenue may not have any store vacancies. We do know that a high-end pizza business will open there next year, but right now there is a perfume store and a Christmas shop. And the Comfort Zone has temporary quarters in that building pending renovation of their space eastward down the block.
The Emporium’s Beach shop is currently closed pending renovations.
There is a for sale sign outside “Favorite Things,” but they are open for business.
We have reported in the past on the theme of the Main Avenue shops: Are they to be for tourists or for residents? Some businesses serve both constituencies. We have already lost a doctor, a pharmacy, a barber shop, a dry cleaners/tailors, a fine grocery store, a news stand, a flower shop, a toy store, a newspaper printing shop, a butcher shop, a popular restaurant (Moonstruck), and a video store.
We have had increased parking and tourist congestion downtown as well as in other parts of the Grove, and that speaks to the fundamental question of what kind of town will we have here? What is the town’s future and what will happen to its historic theme?
Who will win: residents who make this their home or the commercial interests?
Here is a link discussing the business community on Main Avenue:
BERNADETTE PETERS AND MANDY PATINKIN from Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim:
“Stop worrying if your vision
Is new
Let others make that decision-
They usually do
You keep moving on…”
Reblogged this on Blogfinger and commented:
Our concerns about the future of Main Avenue in the Grove were spelled out in this post from December 2017. But things are looking up with the arrival of Balzac and Odyssey. You can remind yourself of some of these issues by re-reading this piece. Click on “Blogfinger” below this sentence.
If residents are sincere in maintaining a vital downtown, then they need to frequent that downtown and bring their friends and family into town to also help support these businesses.
There is no question in my mind that without residents doing so, store owners are left with seasonal tourists, which is not enough to support them.
Parking issues notwithstanding, it doesn’t take a parking space to walk a few blocks and buy a gift or a cake or some cheese, etc. It always comes down to putting your $$ where your mouth is.
Editor’s note: CJD——Nowhere in this post is the subject of economic viability of Main Avenue businesses raised. The article is primarily about 3 businesses closing in Ocean Grove, apparently due to a landlord-tenant dispute.
We did discuss the kinds of business that we have in town and the kinds which have left, but you didn’t address that subject either.
Readers: Please stick to the subject when commenting on Blogfinger. Thank you, the Management.
Sackman raised rents quite a bit for the residents above years ago in anticipation of expanding the building. I’m not even sure how many people live up there anymore. The building has vintage roof lanterns in the ceilings that are amazing. Tiny kitchens but illuminated to the maximum. You don’t see stuff like this anymore.
Next to the proposed pizza shop is a new yoga studio, Soul Essence—-great classes and products. I go and really enjoy it.
Rumor had it that the owner of that building, a real estate concern from NY, wanted to expand and create luxury apartments/condos. Legend has it the request was turned down. Don’t know if it’s true but it would not be a surprise. I like many residents I know miss the loss of businesses like the dry cleaner, news store, Pathway and the florist. DJs to me was a big disappointment. For the first time in my life I am beginning to think about leaving the town in which I was born. It is a sad day.