A new Cookman Avenue restaurant from Smith — called Homesick — is set to open its doors with a soft opening on Sunday, May 30 and a full opening on Thursday of next week (June 3).  Located at the former site of the Brickwall tavern, Homesick will focus on “really simple, beautiful food and drinks…the […]

The Stone Pony, an iconic Jersey shore music venue renowned for decades of live performances by music’s top rock legends, will celebrate its re- opening at the Asbury Park Boardwalk on Memorial Day weekend. A brand-new outdoor seated beer garden affectionately named “The Stone Pony South Side” will welcome guests starting at 5 p.m. on […]

The Asbury Park Equity Committee, charged with reviewing the Asbury Park Police Department’s policies and procedures on police enforcement and discrimination, is recommending the establishment of “some type of oversight committee or review board to establish transparency and accountability regarding issues of misconduct within the police force.” “The most consistent and frequent recommendation raised to […]

A new management team — the Denver-based Sage Hospitality Group — will operate waterfront redeveloper iStar’s two Asbury Park hotels and the Asbury Lanes, according to a news release issued by Sage and iStar. The Asbury hotel and the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel will join the Sage Independent Hotel Collection, a growing portfolio of more […]

The long-awaited R Bar on Main Street is ready for its opening. “Our grand opening is this Thursday May 6th!” said Kelly Victor in an email to the Sun. Victor and Lindsey Taylor are partners in R Bar and will operate it. “Reservations will be available on Open Table beginning on Wednesday the 5th,” Victor […]

Continuing a practice that started last year during the pandemic, the city will open Cookman Avenue to pedestrian and bicycles to create a “Downtown Pedestrian Zone” on weekends, which includes the expansion of dining and retail onto the sidewalk and street. Starting this Friday, vehicular through traffic will be prohibited from Fridays until early Monday […]

To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun: Thank you to everyone for an important and spirited debate on protecting renters in Asbury Park.  We congratulate our entire community for supporting new policy which protects renters. Our City can now come together and continue on its bright path forward.  Peter Siegel, Protect Asbury Park Asbury Park ———————————————————————————————————— […]

To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun: The Asbury Park Affordable Housing Coalition wishes the referendum succeeded because it contained strong tenant protections including caps on rent increases, a greater percentage of units being covered, and, provisions preventing our neighbors and friends from being pushed out. As a result of the vote, the Council’s ordinance stands […]

The posting of a racist sticker in the Casino building is being investigated by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police. The City Council issued the following statement: “The City of Asbury Park is home to one of the most diverse communities in the State of New Jersey. As Mayor and […]

A referendum on a rent control ordinance sponsored by a group of residents who got enough signatures to get the proposal on the ballot was defeated by a nearly 2-1 margin. The City Council unanimously enacted their own rent control ordinance on March 10. Had the referendum passed, it would have replaced the council’s rent […]