METUCHEN ― Nick Kee loved everything about the situation “I haven’t felt an adrenaline rush like that ― close game like I haven’t been in that situation in a long time More: Baseball May roundup: Results, analysis, links for GMC, Skyland and area Union County More: Baseball Player of the Week: East Brunswick's Felix Munoz wins award The Carteret star pitcher had shoulder surgery for a tear last August and he just hasn’t been his sharp self on the mound Kee had his best outing of the season as Carteret edged Metuchen 2-0 and played spoiler in the Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division race Kee threw 6 2/3 shutout innings allowing five hits and three walks with five strikeouts until he reached the 110-pitch count limit Rivera also made a handful of nifty plays at shortstop twice scooping up the ball and throwing to first base and he had a nice catch on a line drive to his left The sophomore drove in Carteret’s first run in the fourth inning and the Ramblers made it 2-0 when another run scored on a throwing error Metuchen fell to 10-3 in the division and can clinch with a win Saturday against J.P South Amboy also played spoiler with a 5-1 win over North Plainfield (10-4 in division) NP holds the tiebreaker with a two-game sweep over Metuchen Kee and the Ramblers were well aware of their spoiler role and the crisp game had a high drama-like feel to it 7-7 in division) has won five of its last eight games Kennedy and splits with South Amboy and Metuchen The Ramblers have gotten contributions from several players such as seniors Drexler Rodriguez at catcher and Eric Thompson (.364 batting average and 3.95 ERA including returning All-Gold selections Rivera (.317 team-highs with 13 runs and 14 solen bases) and Luis Hernandez (30 2/3 IP Joniel Martinez is hitting .333 (team-high 10 RBIs) and Miles Ferreiras is batting .314 nine RBIs) will go a long way toward Carteret’s success in the final month of the season The righthander was a First-Team All-Gold Division player after posting a 2.02 ERA in 41 2/3 innings with 67 strikeouts last year He also hit .367 with a home run and 13 RBIs and helped the Ramblers win the GMC Invitational championship Kee lowered his ERA to 3.92 in four outings totaling 19 2/3 innings There were two aspects to his recovery after surgery to repair a tear in the posterior part of his labrum ― the physical The process included physical therapy for about a month before adding mobility training like stretching to get his range of motion back Kee started light tossing about three months later but I feel like the main thing wasn’t even like physically playing I feel like it was hard on me mentally because I didn’t know if I was going to be able to come back and play again So throughout that whole process my emotions are kind of up and down especially when throwing because some days I would throw better than others “Or one day I would throw and I would feel absolutely amazing and then the next day it’s like a lot of inflammation I’d feel all right again but then my shoulder hurts again and then it starts going through my head like am I ever going to come back Kee noted he’s certainly more patient after the injury and has slowly started feeling better In his third start against Piscataway on April 23 Kee threw 111 pitches and got six strikeouts to surpass 200 in his career He said he felt good in the first inning but lost his command a bit and gave up eight hits and four walks in six innings Kee added he kept thinking about his shoulder and hurting it "This game I definitely went in there not caring at all." he said 'You got to go out there and you just got to let it go Don’t think about it' and that’s what I did And that’s a very good sign for Carteret going forward “I’m so proud of Nicky,” Ramblers coach Dan Morvay said “Everything he said about not knowing if he could do it and he finally trusted himself and he got his mind right and really battled today He’s come a long way and hopefully this sparks him right up.” The New Jersey-based salad and sandwich fast-casual franchise will be planting a new store in Metuchen New Jersey  (RestaurantNews.com)  Fast-casual, health-focused franchise Salad House is expanding once again This marks the 32nd signed territory for the brand which currently operates 20 locations with 12 more in various stages of development partner at Salad House Franchising and a key figure in brand development expressed his excitement about the company’s continued growth “We continue to be fueled by bringing Salad House to new communities and expanding our brand’s reach with our healthy yet wholesome menu that truly makes eating better “Our focus remains on delivering fresh and customizable options that cater to a variety of lifestyles and taste preferences ensuring that everyone can enjoy a nutritious meal without sacrificing taste.” Salad House is expanding its footprint along the East Coast Franchise agreements are in the pipeline for Maryland with additional openings slated for Jersey City Salad House provides its franchisees with an extensive support system designed to set them up for long-term success Every franchisee benefits from in-depth training and hands-on guidance from the Salad House leadership team working to ensure a seamless launch and efficient operations Salad House helps franchise owners stay ahead of industry trends through continual research and development Salad House is also recognized for its top-tier catering services featuring hearty platters and fresh salads starting at just $15 per person With a menu boasting over 90 fresh ingredients To learn more about franchising opportunities with Salad House, visit SaladHouseFranchising.com Media Contact:Tim BanosTim@thesaladhouse.com METUCHEN - A third convenience store may be coming downtown to a gas station at a key borough intersection Applicant Mahendra Patel is seeking preliminary and final major site plan approval along with a variance for the project which is scheduled to be presented to the Zoning Board of Adjustment at the April 10 meeting Patel is looking to convert the existing 1,840-square-foot building at the Mobile gas station on the corner of Middlesex Avenue and Main Street from three auto service bays into a convenience store The plans call for the existing gas station with four pumps and signage to remain on the property at 532 Middlesex Ave More: Metuchen's landmark Forum Theatre would be demolished, rebuilt in $30M redevelopment plan A variance is requested because the office business district zone requires retail shops and stores to front on Main Street but the proposed convenience store will front on Middlesex Avenue A variance also will be needed for minimum lot width with 100 feet required and 87.5 feet existing maximum impervious coverage with 70 percent required and 70.3 percent existing and minimum two-story height required and the existing one-story structure is proposed The project is proposed for a heavily traveled section of the borough's downtown business district Metuchen already has two existing convenience stores on Main Street located a short walk from the intersection of Main Street and Middlesex Avenue Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime please subscribe or activate your digital account today METUCHEN – A teen driver suffered minor injuries when his vehicle overturned and struck a building on Main Street Monday morning No one was inside the medical offices at the time of the crash but the building has been temporarily closed until repairs can be made Metuchen police received a 911 call around 7:26 a.m Monday about an overturned vehicle into the building at 339 Main St. a home that was converted into a wellness center and dentist office The building is at the corner of Wernik Place not far from the Forum Theatre and across the street from the post office Arriving officers helped the licensed driver out of the vehicle before he was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and released Metuchen Fire and Middlesex County Search and Rescue were able to reinforce the building which sustained significant damage from the impact The cause of the crash is under investigation METUCHEN - The borough's downtown is preparing to welcome an eclectic mix of new businesses that offer everything from fine dining to performance and art classes That mixture is part of the key to making the business district a vibrant place to live executive director of the Metuchen Downtown Alliance (MDA) there is absolutely activity and interest and multiple prospective people making their pitch and negotiating," said Mackey "We are in this wonderful place right now where I have list of businesses that want to be here .. I think that speaks incredibly well of the trajectory of this community." Here's what businesses are working to open their doors More: Popular downtown Metuchen store Papillon & Company closes partly due to lack of foot traffic For those dreaming of walking the red carpet The school has had a location in Brooklyn for over 20 years and it opened a Westfield location in 2020 Acting Out will offer offer classes in Metuchen for both children and adults Students from Acting Out have gone on to appear in Broadway shows, in episodes of "Law & Order" and have been accepted to Juilliard, according to the company's website. Registration for the summer camp program is already available online. interactive experiential space to Metuchen is really critical because it's all about creating a balance in a changing retail paradigm," Mackey said "It's something to do besides just dine and there's a good chance if you come for that Acting Out will also be a welcome addition to Metuchen's already-thriving arts scene as it is home to the Forum Theatre and has plans for the Metuchen Arts District Go: Opening at 418 Main St. this summer; actingoutonline.com/metuchen Lore Ceramics is planning to open before summer at 434 Main St. which is the former home of The Jewel Shop Owner Katie Piro grew up in Metuchen and has worked as an art teacher in Metuchen and Hunterdon County while maintaining a home-based pottery business for the past five years Lore Ceramics will have a wheel studio for classes as well as a store selling Piro's creations "That's the secret sauce with retail − you have to have something that people just can't pop on Amazon and purchase," Mackey said "You need to have something with that special touch and I think this is going to be a really great addition." Go: Opening at 434 Main St. before summer; lore-ceramics.com will open next to Lore Ceramics 436 Main St at the other side of the former Jewel Shop space Go: Opening at 436 Main St.; freshtwistnyc.com More: An upscale steakhouse is opening in downtown Metuchen Duke's Steakhouse will open this spring at 413 Main St. Owner and chef Duke Estime also owns Estime's Cafe in the Colonia section of Woodbridge "Metuchen does not have a steakhouse and they are going to completely revamp the inside so it's going to be very sleek and contemporary," Mackey said "It will also be BYOB and I think people are going to love being able to go out for an excellent steak dinner and supplement it with a bottle of wine from their home collection." Go: Opening this spring at 413 Main St.; instagram.com/dukessteakhouse/ Honey Stash Dispensary will open at 700 Middlesex Ave. It is waiting on state approval to open with a drive-thru window Metuchen allows for three retail cannabis facilities but the borough has chosen a conservative approach and has only awarded one license Go: Opening at 700 Middlesex Ave.; honeystash.com A few businesses have also recently opened in Metuchen Those include Acupunk NYC massage therapy and wellness business at 463 Main St It expanded from a South Main Street location KB Kitchens Bath and Beyond a kitchen and bath showroom on the second floor of the Well Fargo Bank EDISON - The township Planning Board has approved a controversial warehouse along the Edison and Metuchen border on Whitman Avenue next to the Metuchen-Edison Community Dog Park Last week the Edison Planning Board adopted a resolution granting 135 Whitman Renewal LLC approval to develop the property at 135 Whitman Ave The plans call for the construction of a 50,400-square-foot building a little less than the size of a football field with 46,100 square feet of warehouse and distribution space along with 31 car parking spaces and 11 trailer parking spaces Also approved is a 10,125-square-foot building with 8,925 square feet of warehouse and distribution space and 1,200 square feet of office space four overhead doors and 19 car parking spaces More: 5 new businesses are opening soon in one of NJ's most happening downtowns Metuchen's land use attorney and planner attended the Edison Planning Board meeting to oppose the project warehouse vehicles leaving the site will not be able to turn into Metuchen The plans call for the existing access to the property from the adjacent Edison-Metuchen dog park to be maintained METUCHEN – The borough is eyeing the $30 million reconstruction of the Forum Theatre on Main Street to make it a flexible performance space, while also acquiring the former gas station property next to the theatre for additional arts-related uses at an intersection that serves as a major gateway to downtown Also planned as part of the first phase of the project is development of The Residences at the Forum residential units on the Halsey Street lot that will include a 20% set-aside for affordable housing helping the community prioritize supportive housing for adults with disabilities and providing a veterans preference provided an update on the steps needed toward revitalizing the Forum Theatre a borough landmark and the centerpiece of the planned Metuchen Arts District "Arts-related projects are complex and challenging and they do require special expertise and a solid business plan for success," Constantine said is in a significant state of disrepair with cracks in the walls and foundation Constantine said there is no cost savings associated with renovating the existing 8,600-square-foot theatre New construction would address the structural damage building code issues and make the facility handicap accessible More: 5 new businesses are opening soon in downtown Metuchen He said reconstructing a black box theatre would optimize the flexibility and viability to accommodate a spectrum of entertainment Paladino put the cost to reconstruct the theatre into a 21,000-square-foot structure at about $30 million digital cinema system to bring back movies flat floor event seating for 500 to 600 people restrooms and concessions and a replicated marquee He anticipates an 18-month construction schedule from breaking ground to opening the doors Paladino said the borough has $3 million from the 2023 state budget and $22 million available from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority program that helps cultural arts facilities He said a residential community can be developed that reflects Metuchen priorities and needs The business deal would include a $5 million contribution for the Forum Theatre while also building a garage for the borough to operate with revenue going to support the theatre operation "Our goal is to develop a package that makes available a funding package to the borough at a minimum of $20 million; $5 million in cash to fill the gap in the Forum budget a 270-car parking facility that will be deeded to the borough at no cost that allows the borough to allocate $250,000 to $300,000 a year in cash flow to subsidize the operations of the Forum Theatre," Paladino said He said successful theatres cannot rely solely on ticket sales They need a revenue stream that helps sustain the theatre's operation Mayor Jonathan Busch said the Forum Theatre is a beloved center in the community "People have stories (about the Forum) and those stories are memories and those memories are important to people," said Busch as someone near him mentioned they saw the movie "Jaws" at the Forum but you can build it in a way that feels it’s a regeneration of something that matters to people The idea is we want it to roar back but it has to be economically sustainable We can't build something that is irresponsible," the mayor said More: There's a new, easier way to pay for parking in Metuchen And as part of second phase of the project the borough would look to transform the gas station property on the corner of Amboy Avenue and Main Street – a downtown entrance designed to look like the old gas station that once stood on the corner Constantine said that property would have arts-related uses such as studio and gallery spaces rehearsal areas and food and beverage venues a beloved Main Street gift shop has closed its doors partly due to lack of foot traffic although it will begin selling merchandise online was a home decor and gift shop that offered items like soaps greeting cards and clothing like a popular Metuchen sweatshirt An upstairs meeting space was used to host events like yoga classes and film screenings Owner Edna Epelu said Metuchen is a wonderful town that supports community events but it doesn't have the kind of traffic that can sustain multiple retail stores she faced increasing competition from online retailers Customers can continue shopping with Papillon & Company online at papillonnova.com Epelu hasn't ruled out reopening Papillon & Company in a smaller space in Metuchen or in another town Papillon & Company had 2,500 square feet of retail space in Metuchen which is large for the borough's shopping scene The space may already have a new renter as Main Street locations Metuchen was recognized as a Great American Main Street of the Year and the borough was also recently recognized by financial publication Money as one of the best places to live A forum on the Forum: Metuchen seeks input on theatre's future "It was a great business for the community," Epelu said “When I was looking for a place to open a shop this was one of the towns on my list," she said in a 2023 MyCentralJersey.com story "It ended up having a perfect location when I was looking "We're extraordinarily proud of Edna and all that she contributed to our Metuchen community over the years and we wish her well," Mayor Jonathan Busch said Epelu has a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Makerere University in Uganda an MBA and Master of Science from separate universities in Scotland and a master's degree in communication management from Simmons University in Boston as part of a state Senate dual celebration of Black History Month and National Entrepreneurship Week “What I always want when somebody comes into the shop is for them to feel that time has stopped for a little while in a way like they are experiencing that feeling of being in a museum with beautiful paintings," Epelu previously said in a 2023 MyCentralJersey.com story METUCHEN - While the the borough remains focused on preserving and promoting its heritage Metuchen is also concentrating on its future Mayor Jonathan Busch said during the borough's 125th reorganization meeting on New Year's Day borrowed from the Metuchen Edison Historical Society that was used by Metuchen's first mayor to begin marking the 125th anniversary of the borough being organized on March 20 is an opportunity for the public to offer ideas on the creation of a downtown public space integration of the borough's history into its identity with events educational programs and community gatherings and continue refining the focus of the landmark Forum Theatre on Main Street with plans to have it "roar to life by 2027." "In an era where national divisions can feel overwhelming our shared commitment to local progress stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when neighbors join together with a unified purpose," Busch said "Metuchen’s sense of community reminds us that what we do here — right at home — matters most." who is serving his seventh year as Metuchen's mayor said the borough is "extremely close" to beginning construction of an Emergency Services Center which will consolidate the Metuchen Fire Department EMS and Office of Emergency Management under one roof on Safety Place With the demolition of the existing EMS building he said the borough expects to solicit bids shortly on the new building which has received $1.23 million in federal funds The borough also has secured $500,000 in state funding for a new fire truck this year Busch said there are new Metuchen-branded bicycle racks in town funded through a Transit Village grant to promote biking accessibility as the borough moves ahead with plans for a bike lane connecting Grove Avenue to the downtown through Hillside Avenue "The bike lane project on Grove Avenue is expected to commence sometime this year," Busch said Also expected to start by the end of this year is the $9.3 million federally funded Main Street grant project initiative that will transform all of Main Street from Brunswick Avenue to Talmadge Avenue by addressing high visibility crosswalks and over-height vehicle detection system to help reduce train bridge strikes More: Owners of chic Italian Metuchen restaurant to open modern eatery and bar in New Brunswick Last year the borough hired a planner to assist in creating a pocket park at the former Manasquan Bank drive-thru that honors the legacy of former borough resident Thomas Mundy Peterson the first African- American to vote under the 15th Amendment With an additional $250,000 in state grants Metuchen has the opportunity to design and build a new downtown public space that reflects the borough's priorities and ideals dates for public information sessions will be announced for residents to offer input for the space Busch said Metuchen is rededicated to chronicling the borough's story starting with rebranding the Historical Preservation Committee to the History Commission to preserve the town's historical legacy celebrate it and integrate the borough's history into its identity The commission's will be charged with engaging the community in a variety of history projects in town including the preservation of Metuchen's historical structures "To help celebrate Metuchen's 125th birthday we recently announced the 'Metuchen is America' initiative as a special celebration to bridge our two historic milestones 2015 and America's 250th birthday on July 4 During the next two years the borough will honor the town's history with events educational programs and community events that will celebrated the borough's heritage and explore what makes Metuchen an American community More: Metuchen, DEVCO partner on revitalization of Forum Theatre Busch said the vision for the reopening of Forum Theater and the Metuchen Arts District continues to come into focus with the expected help of a Cultural Arts Tax Incentive Statute and he expects the iconic theater to "roar to life by 2027." He said the state's Economic Development Authority Program allows New Jersey based companies to purchase tax credits and to direct the proceeds to support community arts projects like the Forum Theatre The Forum is envisioned as a flexible space for concerts is devising a plan to fully fund the Forum's construction and develop a sustainable revenue stream for its ongoing operation Busch said the plan also will include opportunities to improve the Halsey Street parking lot property as part of the Metuchen Arts District The borough plans to hold public input sessions at the end of this month on the project METUCHEN - Comcast is coming to the borough the Borough Council unanimously introduced an ordinance authorizing an agreement with Comcast to install use and maintain and provide cable television and internet service in Metuchen A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance is scheduled for Feb "This is something we have been working on for a long time," said Mayor Jonathan Busch who praised members of his administration for pushing through the legal issues involved Busch said cable and internet is an issue he's heard repeatedly from residents since becoming mayor whatever people's opinions are of these specific providers We're not there yet because they have to lay wires first," Busch said adding that it's important to have choice and competition The installation of Comcast service for residents and businesses is expected to take a few years Busch said he had many conversations with frustrated residents during the pandemic about having only one choice for internet service when they were working from home "I know that internet has become even more significant and will continue to do so," said Busch who dispelled misconceptions said cable and internet providers had previously decided not to spend money on infrastructure in places like Metuchen "We're thrilled to have them like we're thrilled to have our current provider and the two of them can provide even better service and opportunities to all the residents who may not otherwise have them," Busch said “We are continuously looking at opportunities to bring our Xfinity and Comcast Business services to more residents and businesses in New Jersey and beyond and are working towards that with the Borough of Metuchen Council,” said Jennifer Bilotta Comcast will apply to the state Board of Public Utilities for a system-wide franchise authorizing Comcast to construct operate and maintain a cable television system in Metuchen Early last year the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) granted Comcast approval to operate a system-wide franchise in Edison which led some residents to receive Comcast service within a few months It will take several years to reach every household The BPU also granted Comcast approval last year to begin wiring in Dunellen with service expected to be available to residents in 2026 METUCHEN — The Metuchen and Monroe high school softball teams had a little more on the line than usual Thursday with each team trying to avoid the cellar in the Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division standing Designated hitter Lily Holeman made sure the Falcons stayed out of the basement by recording six RBIs and an error on a ball she hit actually drove in a seventh as Monroe breezed past the Bulldogs 10-1 but I think I make up for it with my at bats,” Holeman said Holeman (2-0) is a part-time pitcher who DHs when she’s not in the circle She only had four opportunities to impact the contest and took advantage of each one 2-6 in division) to a 2-0 lead with a two-run single in the second inning then increased the lead to 5-0 with a three-run double in the third She bumped the margin to 7-0 in the fourth by chasing home Kaitlyn Ventura — who had reached on an RBI single — on an infield error that should have ended the inning Holeman picked up her sixth RBI on a grounder to short in the sixth “I watch everybody and watch how they make plays and how they move on the field how the outfielders track the ball,” Holeman said of her process as a DH More: Softball roundup: Daily results and links for Skyland Conference, GMC, area Union County The only thing as impressive as Holeman’s exhortations at the plate was Monroe’s near-flawless play in the field The Falcons turned textbook double plays in the first and third innings and stranded five Metuchen runners to kill potential rallies in the fourth and fifth on some highlight-reel plays by sophomore shortstop Brianna Bukowczyk Bukowczyk and centerfielder Isabella LaGrasso both made stellar plays as Metuchen (0-7 our defense has been great; this is what we practice every single day,” Monroe coach Marissa Vogtman said our Achilles’ heel was errors — I think we averaged five or six errors per game — so this year we really preached that we have to be defensively sound because we are in such a tough division We don’t want to give freebies to strong teams.” Monica Bukowczyk went the distance in the circle to earn the victory and improve her record to 3-4 struck out one and walked two while relying on her capable defense as the Bulldogs left eight runners on base Metuchen scored its lone run in the fourth as Kathryn Morano led off with a double and Adrianna Seidenburg singled her home but it squandered a golden opportunity by failing to add to the run total despite loading the bases With a divisional win over Spotswood under its belt Monroe needed a victory to avoid falling into a tie with Metuchen in the GMC’s top-level division We talked about that right before the game when it comes to seeding and state sectionals The girls knew the implications of this game.” Monroe opened the season with three straight losses but have won five of its last eight and are trending upward We’re a young team” Vogtman said regarding the state of the Falcons “We have four amazing seniors who lead very well but the rest of them are sophomores and a couple of freshmen They way they’re playing for such a young team makes me really proud as a coach and makes me optimistic for the future and the rest of the season that they’re being so composed as sophomores and freshmen.” METUCHEN - Residents will have a chance next week to give their input on how the Forum Theatre should be incorporated into the Metuchen Arts District hosted by the borough and the project's designated redeveloper The sessions will feature presentations and questions and answers about the proposed Metuchen Arts District "We're in a timeframe where it is crucially important for the community to speak up on its feelings and to provide feedback on the theater programming and any associated redevelopment so those views are incorporated into the project overall," Mayor Jonathan Busch said Earlier this month Busch said the vision for the reopening of Forum Theater and the Metuchen Arts District continues to come into focus with the expected help of a state Cultural Arts Tax Incentive Statute that borough officials helped craft Busch said he expects the iconic theater to "roar to life by 2027." The theater was first opened nearly a century ago in 1928 and was purchased by the borough in 2019 With the Cultural Arts Tax Incentive Statute the state's Economic Development Authority Program allows New Jersey-based companies to purchase tax credits and to direct the proceeds to support community arts projects like the Forum Theatre Busch said the borough needs to be ready to apply DEVCO will use the feedback to come up with a plan that will be presented to the borough to ensure the theater is revitalized DEVCO is devising a plan to fund fully the Forum's reconstruction and develop a sustainable revenue stream The plan may also include opportunities to improve the Halsey Street parking lot as part of the Metuchen Arts District METUCHEN - A 37-year-old borough father and his two young children were struck by a car while they were crossing the intersection of Laureldale and Woodbridge avenues during Thursday evening's snowfall The father and his 6-year-old daughter were treated at the scene for their injuries and refused further medical treatment Thursday police were notified about a motor vehicle accident involving three pedestrians Police said the weather was snowy and the roadway was wet Mayor: 'Metuchen is America' initiative will take center stage in 2025 A 76-year-old Metuchen women was making a left turn from Woodbridge Avenue onto Laureldale Avenue when she struck the three pedestrians crossing at the intersection The driver said she did not see the pedestrians crossing the roadway born from a desire to bring healing during the pandemic In a Instagram video this week, Peter Dario, owner of the Terrace Plant Shop Dario said after years of connecting and building an "amazing" community in Metuchen "This decision wasn't made out of difficulty but out of alignment with what's next for us," he said in the video "We've been so fortunate to have had the chance to share our passion with all of you in this space and all the memories we've made together here." Dario said the business is still thriving at its Westfield location "This is simply the next step in our journey and we're excited for what's to come thank you for embracing us with open arms and being such a big part of our story It's been such a fulfilling chapter and we will always hold this community close to our hearts Stay turned for what's next and we promise it's going to be fun," he said in the video More: Popular downtown Metuchen store closes partly due to lack of foot traffic Terrace Plant Shop was founded by Dario in February 2021 just about a year after his father and grandfather died from COVID-19 in March 2020 A Filipino-American born and raised in New Jersey Dario grew up in a family of entrepreneurs who instilled in him the importance of grit Terrace Plant Shop is a symbol to those who lost "a piece of who they are" during the pandemic and a reminder that regardless of current hardships plants will provide the comfort and outlet for healing Metuchen's vibrant restaurant scene has everything from a Pakistani-inspired hot chicken sandwich joint to a Cajun seafood boil eatery within its less than three square miles Duke’s Steakhouse will open at 413 Main St. More: Owners of Metuchen Italian restaurant to open modern eatery and bar in New Brunswick The upscale BYOB restaurant will serve seafood steaks aged in-house and pastas in an 80-seat dining room with chandeliers It will be co-owned by Dumond and Duke Estime brothers and co-owners of casual Caribbean restaurant Estime’s Café in Colonia and soon-to-open Ou La Restaurant & Bar in Carteret Duke's Steakhouse will not have the Caribbean influence that the brothers' and Haitian immigrants' other restaurants have this won't be Chef Duke Estime's first foray in steak as he was formerly the chef at Le Malt Royale in Red Bank Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com METUCHEN — After bricking all 12 of its first-quarter shot attempts and trailing by 11 points at halftime Metuchen hardly looked like a candidate for a lengthy run in the NJSIAA Central Group 2 playoffs But the Bulldogs quickly equalized by scoring the first 11 points of the second half and held Spotswood without a field goal over the last five and a half minutes to extend their season with a 44-37 decision over their GMC Gold Division rival with whom they split two regular-season meetings The seventh-seeded Bulldogs (20-7) advance to the quarterfinals and get another crack at second-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven which has ended two of Metuchen’s last three campaigns While the Rumson gym may have become a house of horrors for Metuchen that venue certainly beats collecting uniforms tomorrow More: Boys Basketball: Wortman emerges, helps Colonia repeat as GMCT champs More: Boys Basketball GMCT semifinals: Piscataway passes test, Colonia rolls “I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves individually to really play well tonight and then we just reminded them of the team that we are and what we’re capable of being,” Metuchen coach James Cardillo said of the second-half turn-around “We just reemphasized our defensive principles and we decided to really really play and we let up 13 points in the second half That’s the type of team we’ve been all year.” Junior Cameron Hayes-Durina led a balanced Metuchen attack with 10 points Classmates Matt Smith and Colin Gawronski each added seven points and it was that trio that sparked the Bulldogs’ 18-9 edge in the decisive third quarter Hayes-Durina opened the contest with a pair of free throws 45 seconds in and closed the quarter with a single foul shot with 34 seconds remaining as Metuchen misfired on each of its 12 shots in the period In between those two trips to the charity stripe the 10th-seeded Chargers (17-10) scored nine unanswered points for a 9-3 cushion after the opening period “We haven’t played in awhile so it was a bit of rust but we had to find ourselves and get back to the rim,” Hayes-Durina said of the frigid start “We were just missing open shots and we weren’t as aggressive because of it.” Gawronski finally got Metuchen a bucket off a feed from Hayes-Durina one minute into the second quarter but Spotswood scored the final five points of the half the last three from Tolbert-Brimage at the stripe to take a comfortable 24-13 lead with it into the locker room “It sounds crazy but we just had to man up,” Hayes-Durina stated we said before we started we wanted to hold them under 40 so we had to lock down on our principles.” Metuchen quickly knotted the score by running off 11 unanswered points with five players contributing four minutes into the period Hayes-Durina collected three points and three assists in the period Smith upped the pressure in the backcourt and totaled six points two assists and two steals while Gawronski delivered four points three rebounds and two blocks as the Bulldogs closed to within 33-31 entering the final chapter He turned the game around for us when we were in foul trouble,” Cardillo offered who corralled eight rebounds and rejected two shots has endured three knee surgeries over the last two years and is coming on at the right time  “We brought him along slowly this year to try to get him healthy and he got healthy at the right time for us as we started to take a turn the second half of the season,” said Cardillo “He’s probably our highest basketball IQ kid in the entire program and he just does all of the little things as well He’s been a big lift for us and he’s still working his way back.” The Chargers took their last lead at 35-33 on a drive by Brayden Krahling two minutes into the final period That would prove to be Spotswood’s last basket and its only other points in the final stanza were a pair of Tobert-Brimage free throws with three minutes remaining Hayes-Durina scored off a feed from Jason Woods to put Metuchen on top to stay at 37-35 and his gutsy baseline jumper extended the advantage to 40-37 in the final minute It was shortly after that that Cardillo could turn his attention to Rumson so we’re excited to go down there and give our best shot,” Cardillo gushed “I think this is the best team I’ve had to go down there so I’m super-excited for the challenge and I know the kids are.” 2025 at 3:27 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Shutterstock)METUCHEN NJ — A new pottery studio will be opening soon in Metuchen The team at Lore Ceramics has over 15 years of experience and will guide class attendees through wheel-throwing Semester classes will begin the week of June 1 Finishing touches are currently being made to the store Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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METUCHEN – After nearly two years in business a borough coffee shop will be closing its doors on Friday 15 closing earlier this week in a Facebook post "When we opened our little cafe our hope was to create a place where Metuchen could gather for the best coffee as well as a space where everyone could feel welcomed we've accomplished so much more," the post states "Watching these connections blossom and seeing your smiling faces day after day has truly been a privilege," the post states More: Eat, drink and be thankful: These Central Jersey restaurants are open for Thanksgiving thanked their staff for pouring their hearts into the business we would love nothing more than to go out with a bang surrounded by our incredible community," states the post which encourages customers to share one last coffee Several people wrote comments expressing sadness at losing the small business the couple met and built their relationship in part due to their passion for food and moved to Metuchen from Brooklyn during the height of the pandemic where they were welcomed by neighbors and were charmed by the borough's downtown Diamond had worked in the food and hospitality industry including some well-known New York bakeries and wanted to share those food options with his new hometown A drive-thru Starbucks recently opened near Beans & Bread at 720 Middlesex Ave. but the post made no mention about whether the chain coffee shop was a factor in the decision to close 2025 at 12:16 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Metuchen High School Jazz Ensemble after a performance at Elizabeth High School (Photo courtesy of Metuchen High School)METUCHEN NJ — The talented Metuchen High School Jazz Sextet will kick off the May 4th Jersey Jazz LIVE concert as the Rising Stars opening act at the Madison Community Arts Center coming from a program that placed third in the New Jersey Association of Jazz Educators' 2024 statewide competition and drummer Tyler Nicholson under the direction of John Messenger Headlining the event is the acclaimed Larry Fuller Trio having performed and recorded with jazz legends including Ray Brown while Grammy-nominated Intorre co-produced Joey DeFrancesco's tribute album to Michael Jackson This program is made possible in part by funding from Morris Arts through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State a partner agency of The National Endowment for the Arts Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com NJ – Summer is around the corner and Metuchen has opened registrations for the 2025 Municipal Pool season The Municipal pool will open beginning June 13 to Sept and relies entirely on membership fees to cover operating costs like staffing and equipment—ensuring that property taxes aren’t used for these expenses we wouldn’t be able to maintain and operate the pool for our community,” the Borough said the Borough and Pool Commission strive to set fair and affordable rates that reflect rising costs.” The Borough has been particularly mindful of senior members when setting prices we were able to keep senior rates particularly low increasing them only from $80 to $90,” the Borough said after reviewing the costs of similar municipal pools and to ensure that Metuchen can minimize increases for other membership categories the Borough was “forced’ to adjust its senior rates to $120 for early registration (April 1 – May 26) and $130 for regular registration (May 27 – Sept “This change helps us ensure the pool remains accessible and sustainable for all,” the borough said For more information on rates, hours of operations etc., click here Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com has been named the redeveloper for the Forum Theatre on Main Street in the Metuchen Arts District Mayor Jonathan Busch said it was a significant step toward reopening the Forum Theatre a 96-year-old landmark and the cornerstone of the arts district DEVCO will create a concept for the borough’s consideration that aims to fully fund the construction of the Forum while also developing a sustainable revenue stream for its ongoing operation," Busch wrote in his post DEVCO will raise substantial funding through the new cultural arts tax incentive statute which the governor highlighted during his visit in April they will explore opportunities to improve the Halsey Street Parking Lot property aligning with the vision set forth in our 2023 Arts District Redevelopment Plan," the post states The Borough Council on Monday unanimously approved the agreement with DEVCO Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and DEVCO president Christopher Paladino to tour the Forum Theatre which was purchased by the borough in 2019 as part of the local arts district The tour also highlighted the borough's need for a state Economic Development Authority grant to fund the restoration of the theatre Busch said the grant program is still being developed and applications are not yet being accepted a private non-profit corporation established to revitalize New Brunswick has been instrumental in overcoming many obstacles in the Forum Theatre project DEVCO has been involved in more than $3 billion in public-private partnership initiatives across New Jersey and Middlesex County including the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center Earlier: Gov. Phil Murphy tours Metuchen's Forum Theatre to promote EDA arts funding Metuchen's Arts District Redevelopment Plan envisions the preservation re-purposing and reuse of properties within the Arts District into “an inclusive place of arts culture and history” anchored around the reopening of the Forum Theatre DEVCO has exclusive negotiations toward the formulation of a Redevelopment Agreement and a viable plan to facilitate redevelopment reactivation and sustainability of the Forum Theatre and the Arts District Busch said DEVCO is the kind of partner that Metuchen wanted "We've been working with them since practically day one on this project They have been advisers to the borough thus far They helped us figure out what is an extraordinarily overwhelming process for a small town like ours to put together the concept of an arts district," Busch said As part of the process Busch said there will also be an opportunity for the public to engage with DEVCO and provide input before the borough is presented with an economic plan for the arts district "You don't just build something unless you have a plan for it," Busch said METUCHEN - The borough has taken a step toward bringing the Metuchen Arts District into reality by going to court to condemn the abandoned gas station at the corner of Main Street and Amboy Avenue Late last month the borough went to Superior Court against 304 Main Street LLC Woroco Management LLC and others with an interest in the property at 304 Main St to condemn the vacant 6,054-square-foot gas station with a 690-square-foot convenience store has not only fallen into disrepair but also suffers from soil and groundwater contamination Its strategic location — adjacent to the Forum Theatre and as a gateway to our downtown — makes it a critical piece in our vision for the Arts District," Mayor Jonathan Busch said in a Facebook post about the legal action The move to condemnation comes after the borough's Planning Board determined the property qualified as a redevelopment area and the Borough Council designated the property as a condemnation area in need of redevelopment More: A forum on the Forum: Metuchen seeks input on theatre's future The Planning Board approved an Expanded Metuchen Arts District Redevelopment Plan which was adopted by the Borough Council in 2023 the borough tried to buy the property for fair market value but 304 Main Street based in the Sewaren section of Woodbridge has failed to respond to the borough's numerous attempts to contact the property owner The borough also retained an appraisal of the property which in January 2023 put the fair market value at $510,000 the borough retained an environmental company which determined the cost to remediate the property with the state Department of Environmental Protection would be $439,566.50 In March 2024 the borough's attorney sent a letter to 304 Main St. offering to purchase the property for $561,000 The letter also indicated that failure to respond and begin good faith negotiations would be deemed a rejection of the borough's offer and would result in the borough going to court to acquire the property through eminent domain The property owner was given 14 days to respond "Despite years of borough attempts to negotiate with the property owner in good faith the property owner insisted on unreasonable terms that would have been detrimental to residents and we were unable to reach an agreement for purchase the borough has initiated condemnation proceedings," Busch said in his Facebook post "This action will allow us to acquire the property at fair market value factoring in the necessary environmental cleanup costs at the expense of the property owner we aim to protect Metuchen’s interests and finally revitalize this long-neglected site," Busch said The property owner also owes $11,289.30 to the borough in back property taxes Busch said the decision to seek condemnation was not made lightly I take seriously the responsibility to balance thoughtful progress with fairness Condemnation is always a last resort but it has become the only viable path forward to ensure the property’s remediation and unlock its potential as an integral part of the Metuchen Arts District The property’s acquisition will be funded with the remaining balance of the Middlesex County arts grant awarded to the borough in 2019," he said "We remain open to dialogue with the property owner but we will not allow intentional delays to hinder our progress any longer." Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Michael Toto has scheduled a show cause hearing on Feb Lily Holeman (15) of Monroe drives in a run on a single against J.P Stevens during the Autism Awareness Challenge softball game at North Brunswick Community Park in North Brunswick .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Reed Becker | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comMonroe scored in five of the seven innings to defeat Metuchen 10-1 in Metuchen while Brianna Lavan went 2-for-2 with two RBIs Starting pitcher Monica Bukowczyk tossed a complete game allowing just one run and walking just two while scattering eight hits Kathryn Morano went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored for Metuchen Monroe (5-6) will return home to face Metuchen on Monday while Metuchen (0-7) will host Middlesex on Saturday Reed Becker can be reached at rbecker@njadvancemedia.com The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! 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All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices MIDDLESEX — Metuchen was not lacking for motivation when it took the floor at Middlesex on Monday afternoon The Bulldogs were seeking to avenge a seven-point loss to Middlesex while moving past the Blue Jays atop the competitive GMC Gold Division More: Boys basketball rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference, area UCC Top 10, through Jan. 25 More: Boys basketball rankings, notebook: Skyland Conference, area UCC, through Jan. 26 But Metuchen was also playing for its coach who missed the team’s biggest game of the season to be with his wife who was undergoing surgery for breast cancer 6-2) combined those factors to post a comfortable 67-47 victory that put them back atop the division standings It is a sign of a well-coached team when it can succeed without its head coach being present “Coach Cardillo gets everyone prepared,” said assistant coach Rory Perner who guided the squad with help from venerable fellow-assistant Bill Killduff and with that confidence I knew I could do it.” Metuchen dominated from the get-go and there were no lead changes in a contest that was never even tied then 10-2 and held a 13-5 edge after the opening quarter “We try to approach every game the same but some games are easier to get motivated for We knew what was on the line,” junior Cameron Hayes-Durina explained “They beat us in our home and we try to defend homecourt so we did not like that and we were ready to go we were able to get in transition and that led to a quick start.” scoring 14 points while grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out nine assists Metuchen placed four scorers in double digits with Reece Osborn-Jones netting 13 and Matt Smith and Jason Woods contributing 11 apiece And that doesn’t include the eight points tossed in by Danny Galligan a frequent double-figure contributor himself who concentrated his efforts on the defensive end where he yielded several inches to his assignment Reynolds entered the contest averaging 20.9 points per game but was held to a season-low five points his first single-digit outing of the season The senior guard did not score until putting back his own misses on the third attempt with two minutes left in the half He didn’t score again until consecutive possessions midway through the final quarter that trimmed a 51-32 deficit to 51-35 eight in the third quarter after a 9-0 Metuchen run extended the lead to 34-18 earlier in the period The Bulldogs also amassed a healthy advantage on the boards we wanted to get one for our coach who has prepared us,” Hayes-Durina noted this game was like a playoff game for us and we had to get off to a good start.” METUCHEN – When the Metuchen High School girls basketball team switched to a 1-3-1 defense to start the second half Thursday against Carteret Sparked by the switch in defensive tactics – as well as the play of Vicky Zaniecki at the top of the 1-3-1 zone – the hustle of Sammie Powers and the ball-handling and leadership of Kaitlyn Connors Metuchen seized a 62-46 victory and a piece of the Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division title Metuchen and Carteret are GMC Blue Division co-champs after ending division play with identical 13-1 records with their lone division losses coming against each other The Bulldogs (18-3) won their 10th straight game since they dropped a 44-32 decision at the Ramblers on Jan but we had three starters sitting on the bench with two fouls apiece,” said Metuchen coach Kathy Glutz whose team scored the first 11 points of the second half and outscored Carteret 41-20 during the final two quarters We’re at our best playing that defense with her on top of the zone she affects passes and she can get ahead on the break.” More: Basketball: Vote now for the Reader’s Choice Central Jersey Player of the Week More: Girls basketball rankings, notebook: Greater Middlesex Conference, area UCC, for Feb. 4 who didn’t score in the first half as Carteret carried a 26-21 lead into the intermission sank four field goals and eight points in the third quarter Metuchen’s 11-0 spree to start the third quarter lasted just over two minutes and included two Carteret timeouts which led to a 32-26 advantage for the home team The Bulldogs led 41-35 as the fourth quarter started but Carteret’s Jahasyia Ledesma nailed consecutive 3-pointers in the initial 31 seconds of the final stanza to forge a 41-41 deadlock who reached the 1,000-point milestone on Jan finished with four 3-pointers and a game-high 19 points for Carteret (14-6) Ivanni Villegas contributed 15 points to the Ramblers’ attack who didn’t play in the first meeting due to illness halted the run by sinking one of two foul shots for a 42-41 lead who finished with five points and four rebounds helped seal the triumph with nine points during the final eight minutes “sometimes we might overpass,” specializing in hi-low entry passes to the block The Bulldogs are always looking for an open teammate but when they need the ball to be dribbled it usually winds up in the hands of Connors four steals to the Bulldogs’ attack – and a bunch of encouragement in a classroom at halftime “(Kaitlyn) did a lot of the talking at halftime; she’s such a positive supporter of her teammates,” said Powers “I try to give 110 percent all the time and bring as much positive energy to the team as I can This was our biggest game of the year so I really wanted to give it my all.” It was a memorable ending to the Blue Division campaign for the Bulldogs who enjoyed the extra noise in the gym provided by members of the school’s boys basketball teams Metuchen also celebrated National Girl and Women in Sports Day with every female team getting a shoutout before the National Anthem and pre-game introductions “We had a lot of support and we wanted to make the most of it,” Connors said “We believe in one another and we trust one another – we’ve been playing together for a long time.” “We wanted to make a statement,” Powers said 2025 at 3:57 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Shutterstock)METUCHEN (NJ-06) will host an in-person town hall in Metuchen to hear directly from constituents and provide updates on his work in Congress The event is free and open to constituents Pallone’s office has received an unprecedented volume of calls and messages from constituents alarmed by Republican plans to slash health care for children and low-income families in order to fund massive tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations he held a virtual town hall focused on the impact of Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts which was attended by more than 300 people Pallone expects this in-person town hall to cover a broad range of concerns— from unelected billionaire Elon Musk’s takeover of the federal workforce and stealing of earned benefits to the economic chaos caused by the Trump administration’s everchanging Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP is required to receive the event address Location details will be provided upon RSVP The event is scheduled to be held from 6:30 p.m Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com Elected leaders and the religious across the state mourned the loss of the Bishop of Rome who had led the Roman Catholic Church since his election in 2013 Checchio of Metuchen highlighted how the Pope embraced the ministry of the poor and the migrant "With heavy hearts the Diocese of Metuchen mourns the passing of His Holiness From the moment of his election as Supreme Pontiff when he took the name Francis our Holy Father has emphasized the mercy of God embracing in his Petrine ministry the poor the marginalized and all those broken by this world’s problems and concerns," Checchio said "We entrust his noble soul to the hands of our Blessed Mother to accompany him to our Father's house In this Jubilee year in which Pope Francis called us to be Pilgrims of Hope he has now made the ultimate pilgrimage to the embrace of our loving God." Francis of Assisi in deference to the saint’s humility and commitment to the poor and his message of peace He lived in a simple two-room suite at the Vatican guesthouse rather than the more luxurious Apostolic Palace History’s first Latin American pontiff and also the first Jesuit elected to head the Roman Catholic Church The Bishop of Rome charmed the world with his compassion for the poor and humble style But he did alienate conservatives across the globe with his critiques on capitalism and climate change who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man was admitted to Gemelli hospital in February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy The pope emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza drawing wild cheers and applause as he continued his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia Phil Murphy said in a statement that he and First Lady Tammy Murphy were "heartbroken" over the news Pope Francis taught all of us to lead with compassion he reminded us that we are inextricably bound to one another and that we all have a sacred duty to alleviate suffering across the world Read More: 'Legacy Of Love, Mercy And Service': New Jersey Reacts To The Death Of Pope Francis Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com NJ – An adult-use marijuana dispensary is all set to open in Metuchen HonesyStash Dispensary will open at 700 Middlesex Avenue The new dispensary will be right next to Starbucks and directly across the street from Middlesex Greenway The location is also within walking distance from NJ Transit Metuchen Train Station The dispensary will also have a drive-thru The “welcoming and vibrant space” will showcase local artists “blending cannabis culture and community with inspiration and creativity to provide a unique dispensary experience” focused on promoting well-being HonesyStash is currently waiting for state approval to open the drive-thru window Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com 2025 at 3:31 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Shutterstock)EDISON The annual 2025 Mayor's 24-mile Bike Ride traversing Edison and Metuchen is scheduled for Sunday in partnership with the Edison Recreation Department has announced this community cycling event that welcomes riders of all skill levels This annual ride offers residents an opportunity to explore the scenic routes connecting Edison and Metuchen while enjoying a day of physical activity and community engagement The tour will begin and end at the Edison Municipal Complex (100 Municipal Boulevard) with participant check-in starting at 8 a.m with the event expected to conclude around 2 p.m Registration is now open at a cost of $10 per participant through the township's online portal The first 150 registrants will receive complimentary official Bike Tour T-shirts to commemorate their participation Safety requirements include mandatory helmet use for all participants and adult supervision for children 10 years and younger The event is limited to bicycles with 20-inch tires or larger NJ - A new juice bar and eatery will be opening doors in Metuchen soon Fresh Twist will be opening in Downtown Metuchen this summer I’m thrilled to bring our Latin fusion flavors to Metuchen after starting out with our first location in Staten Island “From our signature empanadas and tacos to fresh smoothies and a delicious breakfast and lunch menu we’re here to put a fresh twist on your favorite comfort foods.” smoothies that you can turn into a protein shake The eatery will be located at 436 Main Street Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com an industrial and retail real estate services firm recently represented Stephen Izzi Trucking in a lease expansion of 158,641 square feet at 60 Leonard St The transaction brings the industrial property to 100 percent occupancy BRC originally leased 62,802 square feet at the property on behalf of the logistics firm in 2022 “We are excited to expand and extend Stephen Izzi Trucking into the full building at 60 Leonard Street,” said Tyler Baker an investor and owner of industrial and logistics real estate “David Izzi and Greg of Bussel Realty Corp were both a pleasure to work with and we look forward to the long-term relationship.” Stephen Izzi Trucking was represented by Gregory Irving Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) Irving has been representing the trucking firm’s real estate requirements for more than 30 years Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for MyCentralJersey.com A trucking company has expanded to nearly 159,000 square feet at an industrial property in Metuchen BRC brokers represented Stephen Izzi Trucking in the transaction at 60 Leonard St. having also arranged the original 62,802-square-foot commitment on the tenant’s behalf in 2022 The newly announced deal brought the property to full occupancy was named as Stephen Izzi Trucking’s representative after having sold the property to the industrial real estate company in 2022 “It was a pleasure to represent Stephen Izzi Trucking in bringing this deal to closure,” Irving said “Seagis is one of the finest landlords in New Jersey and the property was ideal for my client’s growing business and expansion plans in the state.” BRC described the property as being close to Interstate 287 and Exit 10 on the New Jersey Turnpike “We are excited to expand and extend Stephen Izzi Trucking into the full building at 60 Leonard St.,” said Tyler Baker has been covering New Jersey commercial real estate for 13 years Many industry leaders view him as the go-to real estate reporter in the state a role he is eager to continue as the editor of Real Estate NJ He is a lifelong New Jersey resident who has spent a decade covering the great Garden State Greek Real Estate Partners has gained a seal of approval for one of its key divisions thanks to a new accreditation from the Institute of Real Estate Management All RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright 2023 Real Estate NJ 101 Eisenhower Parkway Roseland Our site uses cookies. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy METUCHEN - The borough has a new convenient way to pay for parking ParkMobile is now offering digital parking services for 756 on-street and off-street parking spaces in Metuchen Residents and visitors will now be able to pay for parking and extend their time in the spaces by using the ParkMobile app "New Jersey is one of our most active markets and we’re committed to making parking more seamless for drivers while supporting the borough’s efforts in curb management and traffic flow," said David Holler "With hundreds of parking spaces now available through our app in Metuchen we’re proud to collaborate with the borough and the Metuchen Parking Authority to enhance parking accessibility and support a more efficient mobility." Busch welcomed the expansion of parking payment options in the borough making parking more convenient for all," Busch said "I appreciate the efforts of the Metuchen Parking Authority to respond to customers’ desire for another mobile payment option by now making ParkMobile available in Metuchen." More: Metuchen goes to court to condemn vacant gas station to make way for new arts district Busch said ParkMobile joins Park Smarter in providing a digital appy to pay for parking ParkMobile is available on both iPhone and Android devices and can be accessed on a mobile web browser To pay for parking via the ParkMobile app or website users will enter the zone number found on the signs within the parking lot or on meter stickers choose the duration of time they wish to park and touch the “start parking” button ParkMobile also offers a dedicated phone line to make payments 2025 at 3:58 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Shutterstock)METUCHEN NJ — This new year a brand new business is set to open in Metuchen Duke's Steakhouse will join Metuchen's glittering dining scene according to the Metuchen Downtown Alliance The restaurant will be located at 413 Main Street The site is currently occupied by Mariachi Restaurant No official opening date has been announced yet for Duke's Steakhouse Juliana Ziegler (28) of Spotswood fields to first against South Plainfield during the softball game at South Plainfield High School on Tuesday .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Anthony Gabbianelli | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comJuliana Ziegler was 3-for-5 with four RBI for Spotswood in a 10-4 victory against Metuchen in Metuchen Ava Mormile went the distance for Spotswood (3-3) with eight strikeouts Mormile was also 2-for-3 from the batter’s box Metuchen (0-5) led 2-0 after the bottom of the third when SDpotswood answered back with a five-run top of the fourth inning to take a 5-2 lead Reese Cunningham had two RBI for Spotswood and went 2-for-3 with a run scored Gabrielle Hill and Hannah Graulich each had an RBI Kathryn Morano was 1-for-4 for Metuchen with two RBI Ava Barasch and Sarah Lindemann each had an RBI and a hit Anthony Gabbianelli can be reached at agabbianellli@njadvancemedia.com The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now!Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) There are a lot of great places to live in New Jersey but one town in particular is getting some serious accolades as one of the best places in the entire country to call home it's a town that's regularly called one of Jersey's best little towns in Jersey my wife and I are getting ready to move to Ocean Gate after falling in love with the small beach community a few months after moving to Jersey and Lambertville that make Jersey truly unique But, according to APP Metuchen in Middlesex County was ranked among one of the top 50 best places to live in Metuchen is located just a hop skip from the Big Apple so it's ideal for people who work in New York but don't want to pay to live in New York It's got a fantastic downtown area that's always growing and has something fun going on, and according to APP Metuchen is so great due to its "uniqueness Do you agree with this pick for the best town in NJ Or do you have another place you think should claim that honor Jersey does have its fair share of amazing small towns Jersey Has A Lot Of Great Places To Live, But One NJ Town Is Being Called One Of The Best Places In The Country To Call Home.\nRead More But, according to APP It's got a fantastic downtown area that's always growing and has something fun going on, and according to APP Metuchen is so great due to its "uniqueness 2025 at 11:20 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Shutterstock)METUCHEN NJ – Another business will be shutting its doors in Metuchen will be closing their Metuchen location on Feb The shop opened four years ago during the pandemic with an aim to bring healing to all the owner of the store made the “bittersweet” announcement on the shop’s Instagram page connecting and building this amazing community here in Metuchen we decided it's time to close this beautiful chapter but out of alignment with what's next for us,” Dario said “We've been so fortunate to have the chance to share our passion with you all in this space and we're incredibly grateful for your love your support and all the memories we've made together here.” Dario said it isn't goodbye for the shop as they are “still thriving” at the Westfield location and online He told the community that the shop has big plans for the future “This is simply the next step in our journey Thank you for embracing us with open arms and being such a big part of our story and will always hold this community close to our hearts,” Dario said Dario founded the Terrace Plant Shop in February 2021 The idea came to him after his father and grandfather died due to COVID-19 in March 2020 While grieving and looking for an outlet to express themselves Dario and his family turned to greenery as a source of hope and happiness where “he was surrounded by a family of entrepreneurs who instilled in him the importance of grit “Terrace Plant Shop stands as a symbol to all those who have lost of a piece of who they are during the pandemic We are a reminder that regardless of the current hardships you are facing your plant will provide you with comfort and outlet for healing.” Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com