Paul Goldfinger photo. Painter Diane Hutchinson turned this image into a painting (see link below). Click once to enlarge. Nagle’s will reopen in April, 2026.
SHE AND HIM:
Archive for the ‘Ocean Grove businesses’ Category
Modern OG history—-2016. The view from inside Nagle’s…
Posted in Ocean Grove businesses, Ocean Grove Main Avenue photo news, Ocean Grove photographs, Ocean Grove restaurants, tagged Nagle's Apothecary Café on March 21, 2026| 1 Comment »
The OG rumor mill: a new deli on Wall Street?
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove businesses, Ocean Grove lifestyle, tagged Breakfast at the Wall Street Deliht on June 7, 2024|
This tiny eatery is at the Main Avenue end of Wall Street. It is very simple, and the owner likes it that way. Ticker tape is not allowed by the Camp Meeting Association. Paul Goldfinger photo 6/6/24
Looking north on Wall Street. The new deli will enter on the right side. Blogfinger photo.This small cafe has been around for ages. The “alley” called Wall Street is off Main Avenue. The little shop used to be called “Krisanna’s.”
UPDATE: 6/6/24: The tiny shop called “Wall Street Deli” follows in the tradition of prior “holes in the wall.” The owner doesn’t want to talk about her business. She likes it just the way it is.
It turns out that there is a space at the other end of the alley which has been an artists studio but now will be turned into a take-out deli and/or sandwich shop with the entrance on the right. This is evidently true, so it will soon outgrow the designation of a “rumor”.
We will pursue the truth, as we always do at Blogfinger. Rumor now says that it will be a first class sandwich shop which we really need in town.
Yet another rumor: Note that the unpredictable Pathway Market has, according to the rumor, a new cook who is capable of turning out edible food.
ANITA O’DAY with memories of prior restaurants in the Grove:
Modern OG history: 2017—–Is there a luthier in the house? Don’t fret, we have one in Ocean Grove.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove businesses, Ocean Grove lifestyles, Ocean Grove Musical Event, Ocean Grove portraits, tagged Daniel Hickman, Don't Fret Music on May 23, 2024|
Daniel Hickman, luthier. “Don’t Fret Music.” Jersey Shore Arts Center. Paul Goldfinger photograph © Here Daniel checks the “playability” and alignment of an instrument that he has been working on. 7/18/17. Click to enlarge
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net
Did you ever dream of traveling around the country in a van with a rock band? Well, Daniel Hickman of Tennessee, currently of Ocean Grove, did just that for five years when he was in his twenties. But he wasn’t a musician. He was a technician who made sure that the group’s guitars were fit as a fiddle. Daniel loved the experience; is there any doubt? ——– especially if you read Keith Richards biography.
Daniel has trained for years working on guitars—-repairing them and building them. He continued studying his craft with experts along the way as he traveled all over America with the Latin Rock group “de Sol.” He calls himself a “luthier” (definition: “a maker of stringed instruments such as violins or guitars.”)
Daniel comes from an artistic family and he probably inhaled guitar music living near Nashville. His career as a luthier has been progressing since 2005. After that rock gig, he moved to New Jersey and found himself with a very special business opportunity at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove (66 South Main Street in Neptune) where he has had a workshop/studio since 2015 called “Don’t Fret Music.”
Daniel is grateful to the late Herb Herbst and the staff at the JSAC for providing him with a rare situation. He not only builds and repairs guitars and other stringed instruments,, but he has begun a program to provide lessons in guitar, piano, and uke. Dan has recruited a talented young teacher to work with students of all ages, and the lessons are given in a separate space off Dan’s workshop. He also repairs amps and he is moving into “retail.” Daniel plans to develop a “full service guitar shop and music store.” His shop is downstairs off the parking lot, with a private entrance to the left.
At the age of 32, Daniel is ambitious and enthused. “We are in the infancy of Don’t Fret Music.”
Daniel’s workshop/studio is a fascinating place, and to watch him work, you get the impression that he is highly competent. He worked on my guitar–he is an exacting craftsman.
Daniel is excited about the future of the Jersey Shore Arts Center. “There is a lot going on here,” he says; “The venue is full of talented artists in residence ,some of whom paint, do screen printing, social media, and photography.” There also is an acting ensemble “La Strada.” He wants to be supportive of his artist colleagues at JSAC.
One of his ambitions is to see a variety of new music performances in the JSAC theater. He hopes for bluegrass and jazz among the choices. This ambition seems very real given the recent downsizing of the secular programming in the Great Auditorium and the real need for some musical variety to satisfy OG’s diverse demographics and to balance against the music scene in Asbury Park.
Blogfinger will help promote new music and arts programs in Ocean Grove. It sounds like the JSAC may be on the threshold of something more than yoga and children’s ballet. Currently there is an arts show going on. Call them for details.
Daniel’s shop is open Tuesday through Saturday 3 pm -7 pm except Saturday which is 11 am to 5 pm. Call 732 361 5060 or DontFretNJ@gmail.com or the web site: DontFretNJ.com.
And, for the record, Daniel lives in Ocean Grove and he “loves the town.” It makes him happy because he knows his neighbors, people say hello, and the town is charming. Daniel knows most of the business people in the Grove and he feels at home here.
de Sol “Blanco y Negro.”
Here is a link to a 2018 piece about “Don’t Fret.”
Modern OG history– We the people lifestyles: Main Ave. springs to life on a June Saturday. Craft Show a bore; Downtown OG takes a deep breath and does the jitterbug.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove businesses, Ocean Grove lifestyles, Ocean Grove Main Avenue photo news, tagged Main Avenue Ocean Grove on January 21, 2024| 3 Comments »
Ocean Grove Main Avenue. June 15, 2019. Paul Goldfinger photo ©. Click images to enlarge.
Love, Positano. Main Avenue OG. Paul Goldfinger ©. 6/15/19
OG underground youth movement—- Paul Goldfinger photo. 6/21
Pilgrim Pathway. Paul Goldfinger photo. 6/21 Blogfinger.net. OG lifestyles photo. Very cool.
Auditorium Square Park. 2 blocks from Main Ave. Paul Goldfinger OG lifestyles photo. Shake, but don’t stir.
Craft Show on the Pathway. Boring! 6/15/19. A fine kettle of fish. Blogfinger.net photo. © Not as crazy as the flea market..
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net Ocean Grove lifestyles. 6/15/19. Jersey Shore, USA.
Whereas the craft show was deja vu all over again, an interesting and varied crowd was enjoying the variety of treats on Main Avenue, especially on the south side.
Alfresco dining up and down the street added charm, and many young people were popping in and out of the shops, especially the Comfort Zone, Artisan Pizza shop, Positano boutique, and Odyssey coffee. Music was softly playing.
The atmosphere was quite alive, and there was just enough congestion, but not too much.
This part of town needs to breathe. Huge crowds don’t help, and you can see that on the Pathway where a different flavor was on display—-rocky road.
SAMMY DAVIS, JR.
Ocean Grove. Whom is the town for?
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove boardwalk, Ocean Grove businesses, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association Activity, tagged Giant events in Ocean Grove, Ocean Grove flea market, the Ocean Grove community on November 17, 2020|
Forever blowing bubbles in the Grove. Paul Goldfinger photo.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger. Re-post 2016.
We recently began a discussion about mega- events in town and about the various groups that do not come together as a community. We suggested that there are too many huge events that literally swallow the Grove whole. Just this past month we had the Giant Flea Market (CC) and the Giant Craft Market (CMA) and then Bridgefest (CMA). On Saturday, June 25, the town was consumed by Bridgefest, a huge event sponsored by the CMA.
An exception is the magnificent July 4 parade, a culturally enriching experience for the entire community and visitors. That parade resonates with history and tradition, and it provides pride, enjoyment and solidarity to the people of Ocean Grove. It is the only mega-event that is embraced by everyone in town, so the parking crunch can be tolerated.
But during these huge events, it becomes extremely difficult to park. People drive all over town—circling to find a space. Parking issues contribute to a toxic effect that goes along with the sound and the fury of these tourist invasions. It goes beyond putting your car away. It effects our lifestyles
But consider this: The larger issue is not parking per se. It is, “Whom is the town for?” Most of us bought homes or rent here because we love this unique ocean-front town. It has diversity, spirituality, family values, music, history, tranquility, and beauty. When you come into town, you feel transformed to another place in time. It has the potential to evolve a unique 21st century culture. But forces here which run amok threaten the future of Ocean Grove.
Whenever a mega-day occurs, the whole town becomes different. It is not the town we bargained for when we decided to live here. It becomes something uncomfortable for those who reside here, and really, why should the tax payers/residents have to put up with so many massive chaotic festivals in our town? Who decides what the limits are? Who decides whom the town is for?
Specifically, these events, such as the giant flea markets, bring nothing of value to the town—- certainly nothing with character, charm, education and pro-community culture. What they do bring are huge crowds, congestion, something to do for tourists, and transfer of money to vendors and sponsors. At best they help a few tourist oriented businesses such as shops and restaurants. They also overrun the infrastructure including the roads, the parks, the beachfront, the parking, the emergency services, the trash collection, the police patrols, and the lifestyles of those who live here. Who decided we should have such events?
We need more small-scale community happenings that enrich a town for the benefit of its residents. These enrich the town by promoting community and culture.
Consider the money. The Chamber of Commerce must make a lot when they have one of their large events. But who gets the money?—not the town of Ocean Grove which has the events forced on it and has to put up with it. It isn’t the homeowners who maintain their homes, culture and lifestyles as an inviting backdrop. Does any of the money go to town services or community events and programs, for example for kids, seniors and families ?
Why should we tax payers have our town overrun by those who consume us and then go home? And that includes those who use our streets to park and then go to Asbury.
Look back and consider other towns you have lived in. Think of ones that were desirable and had a strong sense of community. Did they have comparable mega-festivals that took over the town and benefited very few residents.. What community events did they have where you lived?
Thus, we have brought up the subject of community in this town and raised the question of who is in charge. Who gets to decide what’s best for the community? Unfortunately, it is not the people. It is a variety of selfish factions acting for their own interests.
There is no game plan for Ocean Grove. It is a free for all, and the question of “whom is the town for” is not answered because the answer has not been identified. Is it for the event sponsors, the people who live here, the CMA, the tourists, the business community, influential families who receive favoritism, the developers, the Neptune politicians, or the narrowly focused organizations—especially the misguided HOA?
It is complicated due to the “anything goes” philosophy here. What can be done? How can the people get control? Let’s continue the conversation.
THE MONOTONES
The promised ODYSSEY coffee house is still a promise at #50 Main Avenue.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove businesses, Ocean Grove Main Avenue news, tagged Odyssey Coffee shop on December 26, 2018| 3 Comments »
From the Odyssey web site.
Odyssey web site
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net
Three things are facts: I now know how to spell “Odyssey; the owners of Odyssey Coffee Shop do intend to open at some time in the future; and they have a web site: Odysseycoffee.net
On that web site it says:
“Odyssey Coffee will bring you top notch coffee, espresso, and tea – and the Jersey Shore’s freshest, most tastiest baked wonders. We’ll have a laid back yet efficient vibe so you can get in and out quickly if that’s your m.o., or stay put with your face in a book.”
“In my other life, as a scholar and teacher of Classics I’ve spent lifetimes in vibrant, vigorous coffeehouses filled with plants and ideas and chatter and sometimes silence — and these are the gifts that Odyssey Coffee will give Ocean Grove.”
The proprietors are a family from Ohio, now of OG—the Lipps. The patriarch is Joey–a college professor. So if you want to go there for a cup of Joey, you must show him your SAT scores.
We also know that Joey Lipp appreciates the visual arts: This is from his web site. They are the Sirens from the Odyssey. They lure men who go to sea in ships. So men, if you want to meet girls like these, get yourself a ship* and some will power.
*Note: I learned in the Navy never to call a ship a boat.
We are hoping to get some more specifics from Joey Lipp. It’s time to come out of the closet and provide the folks from OG with more specifics.
And hopefully Joey will bring the Sirens with him, to lure Grovers out of a deep winter sleep.
VIXY AND TONY “Siren Song” live:
Tony and Vixy
“Totally Disgusted” weighs in on Airbnb rentals in the Grove.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove businesses, Ocean Grove controversies, Ocean Grove issues, tagged Airbnb in Ocean Grove on April 8, 2018| 6 Comments »
Internet photo
We have written about this Airbnb subject before, but this “long time resident” contacted Blogfinger on April 7 because he is “totally disgusted by the abuse of certain homeowners who are turning their homes into one night or two night stand hotels” which he calls “hometels.”
He sent a letter of complaint about this to the Neptune Township Code Enforcement Department and cc’d Blogfinger. Here is an edited version:
1. “These overnight hometels are in arms distance of my home and growing at an alarming rate.”
2. “They are destroying Ocean Grove as a community and a place to raise children.”
3. “They are creating a nightmare with parking, and come summer, it will once again become unbearable to live in this mayhem.”
4. Mr. Totally Disgusted asks the Township to fine and raise the taxes of those landlords who are engaged in “rental abuse” and causing a “downward spiral” in town.
He ends his letter with “Let’s keep this town residential and not a one-night-stand-stopoff.”
Here is a link to Airbnb rentals in Ocean Grove. One example offers a one bedroom apartment, 2.5 blocks to beach, from $200/night
Here is a Blogfinger post regarding airbnb:
Airbnb Blogfinger post summer 2017
EDITOR’S NOTE: Is this a growing problem? Do these rentals really impact our quality of life in the Grove? Does the Township actually enforce a new Certificate of Inspection (CI) with each rental? Does the township need to legislate this or just follow their existing rules? —-PG
ELVIS:
Letter to the Editor: The fate of the Francis Asbury Manor
Posted in Blogfinger letter to the editor, Ocean Grove businesses, tagged Francis Asbury Manor, ry on May 4, 2017| 3 Comments »
Francis Asbury Manor. April, 2017. Blogfinger.net photo. ©
To the Editor:
I read with mounting concern over the “pending” sale of the Francis Asbury Manor. The FAM has always been an asset to Ocean Grove – providing health care and residency to many elderly Grovers over the last several decades.
The loss of the FAM is one letdown- however we “Grovers” should be more concerned with what’s going to replace it?
After reading the article it appears the facility is outdated and can’t compete in the present healthcare market. Are the new owners going to completely renovate it? Are they going to demolish it and rebuild a new code compliant/healthcare compliant building? If so -why wouldn’t the current owners do that? If not -what type of facility is it going to become?
Is it another potential buyer similar to the Laingdon Hotel’s bid to become a drug rehab facility? Are they going to use it as a halfway house ? A dormitory ? Or other facility that isn’t as regulated as healthcare that can fly under the radar with sub- standardized rooms- outdated fire sprinkler systems- old heating systems- wiring – plumbing etc. ?
I think these questions need to be asked and answered before the largest facility in Ocean Grove is sold down the wrong path.
Thanks,
ED REVEL
OCEAN GROVE, NJ
May 3, 2017
Ed Revel is a “long time Grover.”
Editor’s Note: The sale of the FAM occurred yesterday. Reportedly, the new owners will continue the same operation including the staff and the residents. The sign has not changed yet to “Allegria.” The new owners are the Sage Co. who are in the business of running senior residences. Don’t forget, any other use would require a variance from the Neptune Board of Adjustment. —-PG