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The owners of Mogo, the Korean taco pop-up on the Asbury boardwalk, have applied for a special permit to sponsor Friday beach bonfires this summer.

“We are looking to continue the bonfire tradition,” said Jay Devino, co-owner of Mogo [at far right with his business partner Sam Chung].

Boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette sponsored the weekly bonfires for the previous four summers. They made a decision earlier this month not to continue the event.

Tom Gilmour, the city’s director of commerce and economic development, will be speaking on behalf of Devino and Chung at tonight’s city council meeting, Devino said.

The two Mogo owners will be asking for temporary approval contingent upon working out the logistical details with the city’s special event committee, he said.

Devino and Chung hope the city will help mitigate some of the costs, said Devino.

“The logistical side of the bonfire is a process,” he said.

The setup and cleanup process of a bonfire is the most involved part of the process, he said. It includes transporting the wood, making sure local fire officials are present at the event, and having to completely clean the beach area after the fire is put out.

“Cleanup with no light becomes a real challenge,” said Devino. “What we as a company are lacking are the vehicles to [operate in] that regard.”

Devino and Chung hope to start sponsoring the bonfires by late June or early July on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

“We’re looking to match it with beach entertainment,” said Devino, “maybe an acoustic set with some local talent.”

[Photo: People gather on the beach under a full moon at a previous year’s bonfire. Photo by Caroline Novack.]

 

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