The site of the Upstage Club, a non-alcoholic after-hours club where Bruce Springsteen [shown at right performing], Johnny Lyons and others from the early 1970s Asbury music scene played together has been listed for sale. The three story site had been abandoned for years, although the upper floors where the musicians had once played remaining […]

Several Asbury Park business owners along with members of the city council and the Chamber of Commerce met last night to discuss a possible need to update the city’s downtown redevelopment zone. The group will be “seeking to modernize the current Central Business District [CBD] redevelopment plan based on the evolution of business within Asbury […]

The issue of first floor business uses along Cookman Avenue — in particular the ban on office space — was brought up at last week’s council meeting. Councilman John Moor requested Donald Sammet, the city’s redevelopment and planning director, make a presentation at a later date on what types of businesses can operate on Cookman […]

It may not be Boca Raton, but the Asbury Park waterfront now has palm trees from Florida. The trees were trucked up from the Sunshine State by waterfront redeveloper iStar Financial. The palms have been placed in the southern portion of the waterfront where iStar is offering upgraded amenities as part of its “Summer Experience” […]

Developer Patrick Fasano has filed an application with the city to extend his liquor license at the Bond Street Bar into an adjacent building [above] he owns on Cookman Avenue. Liquor licenses can be extended to contiguous properties that a license holder owns or leases. “He has a commercial building next to the Bond Street […]

With the city’s ban on office space on the ground floor of Cookman Avenue, a local advertising agency was told on Friday to remove their signage and vacate the premises at 716 Cookman Avenue. Marshall, Jackson & Partners advertising agency had shared the space with Image Tech Photo Studio and Kiss My Art, an art […]

The first of four Thursday night street parties in June — dubbed “Vibe in the Streets” — starts tonight at 5:00 p.m. in the downtown business district. The event is organized by APVibe, a marketing campaign to promote downtown Asbury Park as a dining and cultural destination. For the four Thursdays this month, vehicular traffic on […]

The owners of popular Asbury restaurants Brickwall and Porta will open a new vegan restaurant called Goldie’s on Cookman Avenue this summer. The group received approval at the April 3 council meeting for extension of the Brickwall’s liquor license, which also covers the adjoining Annex bar. This will make Goldie’s the only vegan restaurant with […]

APVibe and downtown businesses are celebrating a milestone this week — a new website devoted to informing visitors about events and activities in downtown Asbury Park. Started by Morgan Sackman [pictured, from left] and Rose Crean, APVibe is a marketing campaign intended to promote downtown Asbury Park as a dining and cultural destination. Both Crean […]

Editor, the Asbury Park Sun: I have lived on Cookman Avenue in downtown Asbury Park for three years. Every year, I look forward to spring and summer and the wonderful weather that they bring. Prior to moving here, I grew up in the neighboring town of Ocean Township. The part I cringe about is the […]