It was a warm and pleasant Thursday mid-afternoon on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove. We try to pay attention to the lineup of businesses in the Grove. Parking was tight, but, strangely as the Christmas shopping season begins, not everything was open.
The All Star bagel shop had closed at 2 pm. The Dapper Dog Spa grooming shop was closed; by appointment only. The New Dawn Hair Company was closed. This is a new hair salon.
Susan stays open in Cheese on Main. This is not a comprehensive list of businesses.
This was a wonderful surprise. Susan and Brian Schulte had closed their Favorite Things store and opened this lovely venue for home interiors. They are very happy in their new location, and it is definitely worth a visit since Susan is known for her impeccable taste. This shop raises all boats on Main. Their current hours are M-W-Fri- (11-5) and Sat. (10-5). They even have a bench outside for the comfort of visitors.
Balzac and Co. Yarn Shop remains the most colorful shop in town. Click to enlarge.
The Emporium beach shop adjacent to Comfort Zone.
Steve and Victor operate two of the classiest shops in town. The Emporium, Jr. beach shop has the best selection of high quality Ocean Grove clothing. During the Labor Day holiday, while walking on the boards, I only saw one OG T shirt. Where’s the town pride? And the Comfort Zone has wonderful skin creams, soaps, fragrances, etc, plus there is a book shop.
Ocean Grove Hardware is open, but they do not allow customers into the store. Blogfinger photo.
a. The OG Bakery has taken up some of the Nagle’s slack, serving a wide variety of baked snacks as well as sandwiches. Go check their lunch and snack menu. We did a taste test of their coffee and found it to be excellent. They offer cappuccinos and lattes too, plus a busy and cheerful al fresco scene.
b. The new bagel shop near the old April Cornell location is almost ready to open. That will be another source of casual eating. We will taste test their bagels when they open.
c. There is another shop over there with brown paper over the windows and no signs to tell us what will open there. Any of you know?
d. A realtor will also open soon along that strip near the bakery.
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. The al fresco 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.
Ladies boutique to open. Just what we need, another tourist business. This store will be in the vacant pizza building, next to the former April Cornell shop. April and others were forced out by rents. Is this business going to pay more than April? Is the landlord waiting for legal weed in NJ? The vote is today in Trenton. (note: the vote was cancelled—not enough votes)
“The good life.?” What does the “good life” mean to the Chamber of Commercials? See Oceangrovenj.com. Their schedule does not include one of OG’s unique events designed for the residents: The Townwide Yard Sale on May 11, but they do include Cinco de Mayo.
The parade was a big hit on a beautiful day in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Click one image and follow the arrows. Use the X on the left side to return to civilization.
The Blogfinger photo staff was busy: Jean Bredin, Eileen Goldfinger, Paul Goldfinger
Yes Virginia, there is a Louis Armstrong—live at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1960:
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger and Jack Bredin, Reporter/Researcher for Blogfinger
We have just received an OPRA (Open Public Records Act) copy of the Site Plan application for “60 Main Street” from the Neptune Township office of the Zoning Board of Adjustment/Planning Board, and the application contains so many questionable entries, that it raises a number of red flags.
Below are some of the issues that we have noticed and we wonder if Neptune Township will approve this application and pass it onto one of their two boards. Currently it is not on the agenda for the next Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting.
The checklist says that the application will not be deemed complete until full plans are available. It’s hard to believe that this sketch represents “full plans.” Click on the plan to get a closer look.
—–The street name is wrong. They call it “Main Street.” Also, the block and lot numbers are wrong—based on the old tax map. They need to use the new tax map. Surely they ought to be able to get such basic information straight.
—–“Any request for a ‘waiver’ must include a written explanation for the request.” If they want a waiver for an RSIS off street parking exemption, they need to request a waiver. Anyone want to guess how many resident units will be built here, without parking provided? That should be specified. (pg 1) This application says that no off-street parking is required. (pg 3)
—–A “traffic analysis report and recommendations from a qualified traffic engineer” is required. There is none at this time, and such an analysis should include parking.
—–They are applying to the Planning Board because they say that no major site use variances are needed. But how about the one that would enable construction of that third floor? This application probably should go to the Board of Adjustment. And how about the use variance to sell new units as condominiums?
—Who is the applicant and who is the owner? It says that they are one and the same (same signature on both lines.) The “property owner” is Linus Holding Corp from NYC with Carter Sackman listed as the President. And their email address says Sackman.com. And if Linus is the “property owner,” why don’t they also name the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association as the owner of the land? Doesn’t the CMA own the land any longer?
—-How tall will this building be? The application (pg 11) says that the existing height of the building is 28′ 2″ (2 stories); the proposed building will be 3 stories and 34′ 8″ high. So, how can the third story be only 6 1/2 feet high? Won’t major demolition involving the entire building be required?
Major demolition is not permitted by the HPC when a building is not distressed in the Historic District. The developers would need a demolition permit and use variances—not a job for the Planning Board.
—–No survey provided
—–No deed to the property provided
—-The developers are asking for 3 bulk variances including one to remove the requirement for keeping the garbagepails in the back. Where will they go—in the front?
These are some of the questions being raised after review of this “Site Plan.” We will continue keeping an eye on this situation.
DON McLEAN ——Isn’t it time for us to fight back against the “castles in the air” syndrome in OceanGrove. We hope to be a historic town not some gentrified nightmare.
Cottage Home Interiors, a marvelous shop, has just opened at 49 Main Ave. All photos by Paul Goldfinger of Blogfinger.net. Nov. 5, 2020. © Click all photos to enlarge.
Balzac and Co. Yarn Shop remains the most colorful shop in town. Click to enlarge.
The Emporium beach shop adjacent to Comfort Zone.
Ocean Grove Hardware is open, but they do not allow customers into the store. Blogfinger photo.
blogfinger.net 