Eleven new restaurants and shops opening on the Asbury Park boardwalk

ASBURY PARK - Chocolate, pancakes, pretzels, a new McLoone restaurant and the reopening of a renovated Fourth Avenue Pavilion are among the new attractions making their debut on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

"We look forward to launching summer with new offerings for the season," said Jaime Kelley, senior general manager for Madison Marquette, which oversees the boardwalk, in a statement. "Reopening Fourth Avenue Pavilion will give opportunity to some new and local small businesses as well as provide our visitors with more options."

Here's what's coming. While two businesses have already opened, the others expected to open between early May and June.

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The Grand Arcade at Convention Hall

Paws Barkery and Boutique: Paws Barkery, which is already open, features K9 Confections, the store's own brand of homemade dog and cat treats. The store also sells a selection of pet toys and accessories, such as apparel, collars, leashes and more.

First Avenue Pavilion

Bonnie Nach, co-owner of Philly Pretzel Factory on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, shows a tray of pretzel twists on May 2, 2024.
Bonnie Nach, co-owner of Philly Pretzel Factory on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, shows a tray of pretzel twists on May 2, 2024.

Philly Pretzel Factory: It's known for its fresh-baked Philadelphia-style soft pretzels, also offering buckets of mini-pretzel rivets for the beach, large pretzel twists, hot dog pretzels and cinnamon rivets.

Philly Pretzel Factory is holding its grand opening ceremony from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, May 3. The noon ribbon-cutting will be followed by music, giveaways, free pretzels, activities for kids and a visit by the company's mascot Phil E.

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Fifth Avenue Pavilion

AP Rooftop: McLoone Restaurant Group's new concept, AP Rooftop, which is located on the top of the Fifth Avenue Pavilion, is expected to open this summer. It will offer coastal Mediterranean-type fare, including pizzas, salads, seafood and other small plate dishes.

In an Instagram post, AP Rooftop said its interior will be sophisticated but with a comfortable vibe that includes two fireplaces and a lounge area along with a glass-topped bar.

"We really see this as a meeting place for people who may just want to see friends over a beverage or stay for a more complete dining experience" owner Tim McLoone said in the post. "This will be unlike any of our other operations."

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Fourth Avenue Pavilion

The Art Spot: Local artist Michael LaVallee of Wooden Walls Project will take over a space in the pavilion. LaVallee, also known as Porkchop, will create an immersive art experience: part studio space, art shop, gallery and workshop.

Buttermee Pancakes: This restaurant features warm fluffy buttermilk mini pancakes with specialty toppings, such as Nutella and fresh fruit; maple syrup, bacon crumbles and cinnamon sugar whipped butter; and s'mores, chocolate sauce, graham cracker crumble, and toasted marshmallow.

Chocolate Moonshine Co.: Chocolate Moonshine will offer more than 30 flavors of gourmet fudge as well as Caribbean Rum Cakes by Goodway Gourmet and chocolate drinks.

Sugar Pop Candy Bar: Sugar Pop Candy will feature more than 100 varieties of gummy candy, childhood favorites and an extensive selection of packaged treats with more than 250 options. It also will offer PinkBerry Frozen Yogurt.

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Businesses are getting ready to open in the Fourth Avenue Pavilion on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.
Businesses are getting ready to open in the Fourth Avenue Pavilion on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

Asbury Nation: Asbury Nation will offer men and women's apparel, swimwear, beach apparel and accessories.

The Shop: The Shop will sell women's swimwear and beach apparel.

Sugar Pop Popcorn: Freshly made popcorn is crafted in a rainbow of flavors alongside the nostalgia of saltwater taffy and cotton candy.

Promised Land Apparel: The store specializes in instantly customizable apparel featuring over 100 Asbury Park-themed designs, celebrating the city's music scene, alternative lifestyle and beach vibe. Promised Land also will offer organic henna tattoos from June through September.

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David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business, retail, real estate and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for more than 25 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There column and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Please sign up for his weekly newsletter and join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Asbury Park NJ boardwalk getting 11 new shops, restaurants