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There’s been new businesses and new facades of late on the first block of Cookman Avenue off Main Street. Our parent publication triCityNews refers to the block as the “Cookman Avenue Arts Block” because of its eclectic mix of businesses, business owners and architecture.

For an Asbury Park Sun photo album of the businesses and buildings on the block, click here.

Recently, the Sun reported on the opening of the new ShowRoom Cinema space on the block, as well as the opening of the Speakeatery market. The block also has several businesses that have been in operation there for years, and some for decades.

Also on the block is the site of the legendary Upstage Club, where unknown young musicians such as Steven Van Zandt, Johnny Lyons, Bruce Springsteen and Sonny Kenn first played together in their late teens and early twenties.The Upstage closed its doors in 1971, but the space — on the second and third floor of a vacant building on the block — was sealed off and never touched again. The old stage is still there, as is the day-glo paint on the walls and other artifacts.

The current owner wants to reopen it as the Upstage with a restaurant and bar. His plans are to preserve as much of the interior as possible, including the historic stage where the musicians performed.

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