Long Branch To Negotiate With Beer Garden Developer

By Christopher Sheldon

The Long Branch Council has agreed to enter into exclusive negotiations with the developer of a proposed beer garden on the corner of Broadway and Second Avenue.

The council passed a resolution during its Aug. 13 meeting that will allow the negotiations to begin.

The resolution states that the redevelopment agency, the city, and the developer, Second Avenue Warehouse, LLC, will "work to refine and finalize the project concept and enter into a redeveloper agreement."

The plan will likely be changed to suit the city's requests and will be presented to the council once again before it goes before the Long Branch Planning Board for final approval. 

Project Principal Preston Casertano said WhiteChapel, the proposed name of the business, would be the first beer garden on the Jersey Shore, and the fourth in the state with others located in Hoboken and Jersey City.

"We're going to have a beer garden with sculptures in it, a beer hall, an actual brewery, entertainment and an event gallery space," Casertano has said. "It will truly be a unique combination of commercial and art uses."

He said musical performances, yoga, weddings, book signings, small conventions and seminars could be held in the event space. He said there would also be "free scheduled space" for Long Branch community activities.

The building would also feature a "green roof" where fresh herbs and vegetables for the restaurant would be grown.

Casertano said the 3-story building on Second Avenue would be deconstructed to one floor and that a courtyard would be built in its place. He said the courtyard could host famers' markets, bake sales and "public art installations.