Middlebrook Cinemas Reopens, Plans Many Upgrades
By ED SALVAS A theater chain with locations in India, Romania and Bulgaria has signed a lease to operate the Middlebrook Galleria Cinemas in Ocean Township. Cine Grand has reopened the complex which had closed October 26 when the lease held by Bow Tie Cinemas with the Middlebrook Plaza ended. The company has re-named the complex the Cine Grand Galleria Middlebrook Cinemas and opened for business on Fri., Nov. 7. Middlebrook represents Cine Grand’s entry into the North American market. Robert Silverstein, whose family owns the Middlebrook Plaza, said Cine Grand plans to spend a significant amount to upgrade…
Middlebrook Cinemas Close
By ED SALVAS The Middlebrook Galleria Cinemas in Ocean Township are closed, but the 10-screen theater complex at Middlebrook Plaza could be back in business as early as this weekend. The theaters, operated by Connecticut-based Bow Tie Cinemas, closed following the last show on Sunday October 26, according to Robert Silverstein whose family owns the Route 35 Middlebrook Plaza. Asked about the sudden closing, Silverstein said it had been in the works for some time. “It’s very simple, their lease was up and they chose not to renew.” Silverstein said a new theater management company is taking over and…
Second Generation Steps Up at Rich’s Auto Body Shop
By ED SALVAS When you call Rich’s Auto Body in Asbury Park to check on a claim or an insurance estimate, chances are Rich Crompton himself will take the call. But these days, it most likely will be Rich Crompton Jr. on the phone. The second generation of the family is assuming a more active role in the business, founded in 1982 and still repairing cars at 1602 Asbury Ave. Rich Sr. explains that the address may be Asbury Park, but a portion of the property lies in Neptune Township. “I pay taxes in both towns,” he says. Starting…
Longtime City Employee to Receive Carousel Award
By ED SALVAS Garrett L. Giberson, better known as Gary, is a life-long Asbury Park resident who’s career as a city employee began in his teens and continues today, four years after his “retirement” as director of public works. Giberson is being honored with the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce Carousel Award presented annually to an outstanding Public Official. The awards ceremony will take place at the Chamber’s Carousel Awards Dinner May 9 at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. Giberson is currently the part time manager of the city beachfront, a position he’s held since 2010 when he officially stepped…
Asbury Park Chamber Names New Assistant Director
By ED SALVAS The Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce created a new job this year in addition to making technology improvements at its office. These are other announcements were made at the chamber’s first 2014 General Membership breakfast meeting at the VFW. Attendees enjoyed a breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes and coffee provided by the restaurant Toast. Chamber Executive Director Jackie Pappas said the chamber’s membership stands at 275 and announced that Matthew Whelan has been hired as the chamber’s full time assistant executive director. “We created a job this year,” Pappas said in announcing that Whelan has been…
Landmark Beach Cinema Upgrades to 21st Century
By ED SALVAS When the Beach Cinema in Bradley Beach opened in 1925, it was called the Palace, and the films were silent and in black an white. Movie goers today will discover a 21st century theater, updated with state-of-the-art digital projection and enhanced with Surround Sound as the Beach Cinema completes an upgrade to digital to remain in business. “I’ve been told we had to do this for three years now” said owner John Esposito, who said the Beach Cinema is one of the last movie houses in Monmouth and Ocean counties to still be showing movies on…
A Piece of Asbury Park History Returning to City
By ED SALVAS It’s been more than 100 yeas since a horse-drawn carriage made its way through the streets of Asbury Park delivering the local newspaper. But thanks to the generosity of the Gannett Corporation, publishers of The Asbury Park Press, the carriage may soon return to Asbury Park. The carriage, which dates to 1879 and was used to deliver the Shore Press, the forerunner of the Asbury Park Press, has been on display in the lobby of the Press building on Route 66 in Neptune, but the Press is moving to a new building and needs to find…
Bradley Beach Chamber Foots the Bill for Holiday Lights
By ED SALVAS Main Street in Bradley Beach is starting to take on a Holiday look. Borough employees have started putting up new “snowflake” holiday lights along the borough’s Main Street after receiving a donation of $1,500 from the Chamber of Commerce. Officers of the chamber were at the Borough Council meeting last week and presented the check to Mayor Gary Engelstad. President Brenda Connolly, Vice President John Esposito, chairman of the Beautification Committee, and Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Director Shirley Ayres were thanked by the mayor who praised the business group’s effort and said he believes the relationship between…
After 30 Years Hair Salon Owner Has No Plans to Retire
By ED SALVAS It’s not unusual to find Cissie Giresi at work in her W. Sylvania Avenue salon in Neptune City at 6 a.m. By then, she’s already had a workout at the nearby Retro Fitness center where she generally starts her daily routine. In October, Giresi celebrates the 30th anniversary of the opening if Cissies Touch of Class Hair and Nail Salon at 201 W. Sylvania Ave. She opened the salon after working for 15 years at other shops, including the Hamilton Barber Shop and at the Glemby’s salon at Sears. Giresi sad she was encouraged to go…
“It’s free, eco-friendly local transportation…”
By ED SALVAS Bryan Nesci’s idea of a summer vacation is operating a free shuttle service for beach goers in Avon-by-the-Sea. The 23-year-old senior at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken is wrapping up his second season of business on Labor Day to return to school where he’s studying mechanical engineering. Nesci has been working seven days a week since Memorial Day picking up and dropping off passengers at their cars and taking them to the Avon beach in his six passenger, all electric golf cart, known as an LSV, or low-speed vehicle. “It’s free, eco-friendly local transportation,” Nesci…
