Downtown Night Out outdoor dining returns to Toms River in May
TOMS RIVER -- It's drawn hundreds of people to downtown Toms River on warm weather weekends during the past two years.
And now the popular "Downtown Night Out" outdoor dining downtown is set to return May 13. It will continue on Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 29.
Downtown Night Out was born during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when township officials and Downtown Toms River, the township's business improvement district, were looking for ways to help struggling restaurants survive.
With relatively narrow sidewalks in downtown area, restaurants were looking for more space to set up outdoor tables, Mayor Maurice B. "Mo" Hill Jr. said. Ocean County approved closing Washington Street to accommodate more restaurant tables.
Downtown Night Out received a boost with the opening in 2020 of two long-awaited establishments: Battle River Brewing and Garden State Distillery Co., both located on Main Street.
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This year, Downs Ford will sponsor Downtown Night Out, according to Mairin Bellack, executive director of Downtown Toms River. Downs Ford will pay the cost of having police officers on site, a requirement when shutting down Washington Street, she said.
Restaurants open on Washington Street will include Capone's, A Thyme for All Seasons and Crave. Other restaurants that will be open in the downtown on Friday and Saturday evenings are Bubby's Beanery, Mangia Bagel Bistro, Mathis House, Moe's Southwest Grill, Taco Tastic, Tommy Boy's Cafe, The Office Lounge and the Water Street Bar and Grill.
Outdoor dining has been credited with luring many people to the downtown during the evening, which business and township leaders had been attempting to do for many years.
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"It's been a big success," Council Vice President Matt Lotano said of Downtown Night Out.
This year could prove pivotal for plans to redevelop the downtown, as a $68-million project to build two, 10-story apartment towers on Water Street is expected to get underway in 2022.
The project, to be constructed by Capodagli Property Co., contains 285 apartments, a two-level riverfront boardwalk, along with a restaurant, coffee shop, and a "doggie day care" in 16,000-square-feet of retail space.
It is expected to be the first of several large projects intended to transform Toms River's long-dormant downtown.
Bellack said there are events planned in the downtown on 87 days this year. Among the scheduled events are Toms River Food Fest, Toms River Pride Festival, the Summer in the Street Festival, the Harvest Arts Festival and the Crusin' classic car shows.
Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 37 years. A finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in public service, she's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River NJ Downtown Night Out outdoor dining returns May 13
