Pier Village Adds 2 New Restaurants As It Reopens

LONG BRANCH, NJ — Pier Village will reopen Monday with some changes and new offerings, including a "modern Mexican concept" restaurant and a kosher grill coming this summer.

Some of the mixed-use community's shops have remained open during the coronavirus pandemic. But much will return Monday, including the Wave Resort and Bungalow Hotel, retail and two new eateries.

The Branch Cantina will open at the Wave Resort. The LBK Grill, a kosher restaurant, will open in the Wave Resort by the carousel.

Pier Village will look a little different. They plan to close off parking spaces to expand outdoor dining and retail, creating more space for pedestrians. Long Branch restaurants can apply for temporary permits to create outdoor dining, as New Jersey prepares to allow the activity Monday. Read more: 30 Long Branch Restaurants Apply For Outdoor Dining Permits

Retail shops will have pickup and drop-off services available, including foot markets and window signage reminding people of best practices.

Pier Village also implemented Bbot Technology, which allows for curbside and beach orders from Wave Resort.

Several retailers, meanwhile, found creative ways to operate during the pandemic:

• 100 Ocean at Wave Resort offers ready-to-drink cocktails and family-style dinners
• Tony Boloneys offers Make-it-at-home burrata, meatball and pasta kits with accompanying virtual cooking classes
• Playa Bowls offers family-pack deals for takeout
• Little Hot Mess Salon has emergency beauty and glaze kits
• SugarPop created bulk candy platters
• Turning Point has DIY pancake kits
• Molly & Zoey, Wish and Sundaze feature outdoor and virtual shopping
• Coney Waffle has ice cream cakes and their usual grab-and-go ice cream cones

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