Turning Point Opens, Mexican Cantina Coming To Ocean County Mall

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The changes and new looks continue at the Ocean County Mall, with new stores and restaurants in the works and others holding their grand openings.

The Turning Point, which specializes in breakfast, lunch and brunch, held its grand opening Monday at the mall, after months of COVID-19-induced delays. It joins Sweetwater's Coffee & Tea, which opened in August 2020.

PF Chang's, which was announced earlier this year, is anticipated to open in early 2022, said Erin Barbato, spokeswoman for Ocean County Mall. P.F. Chang's is described as "a unique combination of Chinese cuisine, attentive service, wine, and tempting desserts all served in a stylish, high-energy bistro."

Those restaurants and new tenants announced Monday are part of the mall's "Lifestyle Center," the new cluster of stores and restaurants that replaced Sears at the northern end of the mall. Also part of that section are LA Fitness, HomeSense, Five Below, and BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse.

Now in the works is On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, which Barbato said is anticipated to open in the spring. On The Border is said to be the world’s largest Mexican casual dining brand. On The Border is known for its margaritas, house-made salsa, and mesquite-grilled fajitas, she said.

Beyond restaurants, Barbato said the following businesses are anticipated to open in the coming months:

• Downtown Dance Academy is a Toms River-based dance studio offering a variety of different dance styles such as jazz, lyrical, ballet, hip-hop, acro and more. It is scheduled to open Saturday.
• Windsor Fashions sells women's clothing and fashion accessories from dresses, tops, and skirts to denim, shoes and more. It's anticipated to open in mid-October.
• Sola Salons, which is a turnkey, move-in ready salon studios and services designed exclusively for the best salon studio experience, is anticipated to open in the Spring of 2022.

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