Category Archives: Business Buzz

Check out what’s booming in the Rumson-Fair Haven area business scene.

Business Buzz

Iconic Spot: Farewell, Fromagerie; Hello, Rumson House

Fromagerie transforming under new ownership in 2016
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

So, what’s in a name? An awful lot sometimes. When it comes to iconic spots in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, sometimes its all about a name — and the place behind that name and its power. The power of place. It’s mighty in small towns. It defines us and fills our hearts — that slew of memories all anchored in one small place that holds the power to invoke them.

There’s a lot of power in an iconic place like Rumson’s Fromagerie. It’s been a locals’ anchor for decades, since it opened in 1972, under the ownership of Hubert and Markus Peter. Through the many years of the swanky restaurant’s staple existence, management, ownership and menu shifts, the name of the landmark has always been the same — until now.

Continue reading Iconic Spot: Farewell, Fromagerie; Hello, Rumson House →
Business Buzz

Focus: Fair Haven’s Coastal Decor Celebrates a Decade in Biz

Gallery

Coastal Decor and Design has made Fair Haven its home for 10 years. And to commemorate the occasion, all were invited to celebrate with a little music from John Amabile, some snacks and socializing, Mia Pustrom photography, store goodies and more.

Continue reading Focus: Fair Haven’s Coastal Decor Celebrates a Decade in Biz →

Business Buzz, Local Life

Focus: Bringing Donovan’s Reef Back

Gallery

It’s been more than five years since Superstorm Sandy tossed and flattened the iconic Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright.

In the aftermath of the storm in which the Atlantic Ocean met the Shrewsbury River over the small peninsula town, all that was left of Donovan’s was a tossed building, a shell of the main bar, restaurant equipment, torn up pavement and wood — lots of wood — in scattered piles. What remained of its sign were the letters D O … found on the ground by Mayor Dina Long.

The letters became symbolic of the can-do attitude Sea Bright residents and business owners embodied in the tough months, even years, of rebuilding ahead.

There was a year without Donovan’s. Then there were a few years of an open Tiki bar on the beach.

Now Donovan’s is coming back — bigger, higher and stronger — for its first summer as a rebuilt area legend.

Take a look at the progress so far …

— Elaine Van Develde

Business Buzz

Focus: Shopping the Neighborhood in Fair Haven

It was a night of holiday shopping local, socializing, treats and trolley riding. It was Thursday night’s annual Shop the Neighborhood in Fair Haven; and, by all indications and smiling faces, it was a success.

Sponsored by the Fair Haven Business Association and featuring talent from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH), businesses in both districts in the borough opened their doors to meet, greet and treat neighbors and friends in a casual, getting-to- know-you customer appreciation atmosphere from 5 to 9 p.m.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect popped in on a few open houses and caught a glimpse into the evening from the folks at Tavolo, The Pilates Project, Boxwood Gardens, Ferguson Dental, and Coastal Decor and their friends.

Take a look …

— Elaine Van Develde

Business Buzz

Getting Set for Small Biz Saturday in Fair Haven

It’s less than 24 hours ’til Small Business Saturday; and Fair Haven’s businesses are set for the event.

The following businesses will participate, offering sales, special deals and some socializing in the downtown district of the borough:

Shutters
606River
Fair Haven Hardware
Veranda Giftshop
Gem Of An Idea
River Road Books
Canyon Pass Provisions
Lotus Way
By George Baby
Coastal Decor & Interior Design
Boxwood Gardens Florist & Gifts
A Chic with Stix
Moon Child Boutique
Sadie James Boutique
Zakiaz Whimsical Shoppe & Design
The Pilates Project
The China Closet

See you there!

Business Buzz

Something Fishy at Lusty Lobster Christmas Eve

It’s Christmas Eve — almost — and that means the Feast of Seven Fishes for those of Italian descent.

And judging by the hour-long wait line at Fair Havenite Doug Douty’s Lusty Lobster seafood market in Highlands, there are either a lot of Italians in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, a lot of people who are happy to use the excuse to feast on Douty’s fresh seafood or both.

Rumsonite and RFH grad Jennifer Weber Zeller is on line at the seafood market that supplies many favorite area restaurants, such as fellow Fair Havenite and RFH grad Chris Wood’s Woody’s (in Sea Bright and now Tinton Falls). She shared a couple of pics with Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect to show just how a trip to the market on Christmas Eve has turned into a main event.

Not only does the line of people picking up their orders extend nearly all the way down Bay Avenue, but Douty has also apparently supplied some entertainment as well for the wait.

Wood has continually praised the freshness of Douty’s seafood. He, for one, has it delivered daily to his restaurants.  Douty is also an RFH grad.

Sounds like the makings for some sort of impromptu RFH Christmas Eve reunion.

Mangia! And Merry Christmas!

Business Buzz

Visions of Two River Computer Elves Fixing Tech Ills

By Elaine Van Develde

It’s that all-too familiar tech nightmare. You’re in the middle of a major project for work. You’re on a deadline. You’re engrossed. Your fingers are typing into a nubby frenzy. Oops.

The computer politely tells you that you need to update the operating system to install a program that you need to get those finishing touches done just right. OK. You click “Continue” and POOF! Everything goes black. Wait. There’s a gray tinge on the screen. A little message pops up and tells you to restart the computer. You do as you are told. Aaaaand POOF!

Continue reading Visions of Two River Computer Elves Fixing Tech Ills →

Business Buzz

Shopping the Neighborhood in Fair Haven

The folks in the Fair Haven Business Association are up to something festive that offers area people some hyperlocal holiday shopping fun.

The new initiative is dubbed Shop the Neighborhood. The entire business district along River Road, from one end by the Acme to the other near Gillespie Avenue, will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday.

In addition to all sorts of special deals, giveaways and raffles, there will be entertainment by Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School students stationed at various spots — Umberto’s and Tavolo Pronto on one end and Canyon Pass Provisions and Booskerdoo on the other.

And, for the first time, to add convenience and a little bit of festive old town charm, there will be a free trolley picking up and dropping off shoppers from one end of town to the other.

All aboard! Next stop, Fair Haven business district!