Gourmet Coffee Shop, Ice Cream Parlor Coming This Winter To Middletown ShopRite Plaza

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — In July, we told you that Nicholas Creamery gourmet ice cream parlor will open inside what used to be the old Sears Auto Center on Rt. 35 in Middletown.

At the time, owner Nicholas Harary teased that more upscale food and dining businesses will join him there — but said he could not say names — and now today we can confirm that Booskerdoo Coffee & Baking Co. will be joining him.

Booskerdoo plans to open next to the ice cream parlor this winter, as first reported by the Asbury Park Press and confirmed by Middletown Mayor Tony Perry. Coffee beans will be roasted on site and pastries will be baked on site, as well.

Harary said he hopes to open his ice cream shop "by Thanksgiving" and Booskerdoo is aiming to open in December or January.

This is the same shopping complex as the Middletown Saker ShopRite, which opened last summer in its new location across Rt. 35 at Kings Highway. The old Sears Auto Center is owned by Richard Saker and is currently entirely empty.

So Booskerdoo and Nicholas Creamery will rent their locations from Saker.

Think of it like a "high-end food court," said Harary in July.

"I really cannot comment on the other stores that are coming, as we were the first to announce we leased there," said Harary. "But it will be a mix of national and local names. Think high end. It's very exciting. We definitely wanted to be included in this mix of businesses. When you come out of the Middletown ShopRite you will be looking directly at the ice cream parlor and other eateries."

Nicholas Creamery has ice cream parlor locations in Fair Haven, Atlantic Highlands, Tinton Falls and Long Branch. This new Middletown location will be their fifth.

This will be Booskerdoo's sixth coffee shop in Monmouth County and their first in Middletown; they have locations at Bell Works in Holmdel, Fair Haven, Asbury Park, Monmouth Beach and inside Sickles Market in Red Bank.

Harary also owns Nicholas Barrel & Roost, a high-end restaurant on the Middletown/Red Bank border. Nicholas Barrel & Roost is a favorite dining spot of Gov. Phil Murphy, who lives less than a mile away.