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End Of An Era: Jersey Shore Bar Closes After 17 Years End Of An Era: Jersey Shore Bar Closes After 17 Years
End Of An Era: Jersey Shore Bar Closes After 17 Years A popular Wildwood staple is saying farewell after nearly two decades. Goodnight Irene’s, the iconic restaurant and bar at Pacific Avenue and East Poplar Avenue, announced that this weekend will be its last after 17 years. "AND THAT’S A WRAP FOLKS!" the owners shared on Facebook. "We appreciate you all more than you know." The final days of service, running through Sunday night, Nov. 17, promise to be filled with goodbyes and nostalgia. "We hope to see as many of you as possible," the Irenes family wrote, signing off with "LOVE." For countless locals and visitors, Goodnight Irene’s ha…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Two months after exiting bankruptcy, restaurant chain Red Lobster is unveiling a revamped menu. It features these seven new items: Lobster Pappardelle Pasta Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops Lobster Bisque Lemon Basil Mahi Simply Prepared Mahi Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Roasted Asparagus In addition, a pair of old fan-favorites that had been discontinued are back:  Popcorn Shrimp, Hush Puppies  Red Lobster is now giving guests the ability to customize their seafood favorites with the launch of "Create your Own Ultimate Feast." Customers can mix and match two premium picks such as …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores A nationwide auto parts retailers says it will close over 700 stores as part of “a strategic plan to improve business performance.” Advance Auto Parts, which has about 4,800 total stores, and locations in almost every state, made the announcement on Thursday, Nov. 14. The affected outlets will close by May 2025 and are made up of 523 corporate stores, and 204 independently owned locations. In addition, four distribution centers will also close. Specific locations to be closed have not yet been announced. In announcing the move, President and Chief Executive Officer Shane O’Kelly said…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Look Inside NJ's First Eataly: Sprawling Store, Restaurant Open At High-End Mall Look Inside NJ's First Eataly: Sprawling Store, Restaurant Open At High-End Mall
Look Inside NJ's First Eataly: Sprawling Store, Restaurant Open At High-End Mall Eataly is now open in the Garden State. The Italian marketplace opened its first New Jersey location at The Mall at Short Hills on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The 17,000 square foot store aim to give patrons a taste of the "authentic Italian lifestyle," according to a release. Eataly Short Hills features a 230-seat restaurant and bar, Eataly Ristorante, which offers traditional antipasti, pasta dishes, Pizza Napoletana, and main courses like chicken Milanese, alongside an extensive wine list. The store also hosts several quick-serve counters that offer grab-and-go items including coffee, pastries,…

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by Sam Barron
Business
Massive Hotel Proposed To Replace Shuttered Jersey Shore Amusement Park: Reports Massive Hotel Proposed To Replace Shuttered Jersey Shore Amusement Park: Reports
Massive Hotel Proposed To Replace Shuttered Jersey Shore Amusement Park: Reports A developer is planning to bring a new purpose to a shuttered and iconic amusement park on the Ocean City boardwalk, according to reports. Wonderland Pier owner Eustace Mita said he wants to create a 252-room hotel on the site of the theme park that closed in October, abc6 Action News reported. Mita is also the developer and CEO of ICONA Resorts. The $135 to $155 million proposal would preserve Wonderland's famous Ferris wheel and carousel. "Our thought was we will rehab it, keep it, and actually raise it by 10 feet," Mita told abc6. "That will be a $1.5 million project." A renderi…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Central Jersey Mall To Open First New Store Amid $500M Redevelopment Central Jersey Mall To Open First New Store Amid $500M Redevelopment
Central Jersey Mall To Open First New Store Amid $500M Redevelopment The first store at a revamped Monmouth Mall is about to open, officials said. The new Barnes & Noble location in Eatontown will open on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the bookstore chain said in a news release. The previous store closed about two weeks before the new location's opening. The new space is a few hundred yards away from Macy's. "We are very pleased to be opening this beautiful new bookstore here in Eatontown," Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt said. "The Eatontown booksellers have gone above and beyond to have this new space ready so soon after closing the previous location, and jus…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Upscale Champagne, Caviar Bar Brings Luxe Dining To American Dream Mall Upscale Champagne, Caviar Bar Brings Luxe Dining To American Dream Mall
Upscale Champagne, Caviar Bar Brings Luxe Dining To American Dream Mall A chic champagne and caviar bar has opened at the American Dream in East Rutherford, giving guests a luxurious new spot to relax between high-end shopping.  Isola Bella opened on Thursday, Oct. 31 inside The Avenue. The bar offers an elegant menu filled with fresh seafood and sparkling drinks. The menu features jumbo shrimp cocktails, oysters, caviar selections, pastrami smoked salmon, and smoked sea bass, among other upscale bites. Alcoholic options include champagne and sparkling wine, along with a selection of wines by the glass or bottle and hand-crafted cocktails.  Non-alcoh…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says
Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says A cybersecurity “issue” has led the parent company of a supermarket chain to disconnect some systems to protect them. Ahold Delhaize USA said it recently detected a cybersecurity issue within its US network. "Immediately upon detecting the issue, our security teams began an investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts," the company said. "We also notified law enforcement." The move affects: Stop & Shop, which has around 400 locations in New England, New York, and New Jersey; Hannaford, with stores in eastern upstate New York and New England; Giant Company, with…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Restaurant Visionary Brings Luxe Dining Experience With NYC Skyline Views To North Jersey Restaurant Visionary Brings Luxe Dining Experience With NYC Skyline Views To North Jersey
Restaurant Visionary Brings Luxe Dining Experience With NYC Skyline Views To North Jersey Renowned restaurateur Jeremy Casilli is bringing his latest venture, DRIFT Restaurant & Bar, to Weehawken’s thriving Lincoln Harbor district. Promising an immersive dining experience that combines culinary artistry with captivating views of the Manhattan skyline, DRIFT is taking reservations and is set to open on Wednesday, Nov. 13.  Casilli, a leading figure in the restaurant industry and mastermind behind popular hotspots like Hudson & Co. in Jersey City and Pier 115 in Edgewater, designed DRIFT to create a unique, unforgettable experience for guests.  The 17,000-square…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Amazon Fresh Opens In Woodland Park Bringing High-Tech Grocery Shopping To Route 46 Amazon Fresh Opens In Woodland Park Bringing High-Tech Grocery Shopping To Route 46
Amazon Fresh Opens In Woodland Park Bringing High-Tech Grocery Shopping To Route 46 Shoppers in Woodland Park have a new grocery destination: Amazon Fresh. The high-tech grocery chain opened its 59,000-square-foot store on Thursday morning, Nov. 7 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Plaza 46 shopping center on Route 46.  The location, taking over the former Fairway Market that closed in 2020, brings a fresh approach to grocery shopping, blending convenience with innovation in a store designed for a seamless shopping experience. From fresh produce to gourmet items and everyday essentials, Amazon Fresh promises quality and affordability. But it's the store’s cutting-…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Italian Deli, Bakery Closing After 50 Years In Hoboken Italian Deli, Bakery Closing After 50 Years In Hoboken
Italian Deli, Bakery Closing After 50 Years In Hoboken It's the end of an era for a deli in Hoboken. Losurdo Brothers, Tony's Bakery, will be closing permanently on Sunday, Dec. 8, the deli shared on Instagram. "It has been an incredible 50 years serving the people of Hoboken and beyond," the deli wrote.   "To our loyal customers and supporters - Thank you. Your belief and trust in us have been the driving force behind our every step. We are so very proud to have been a part of your family gatherings holidays, special events and daily lives. While this chapter ends, we are grateful for the friendshi…

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by Sam Barron
Business
Starbucks Now Open At New ON3 Campus, Report Says: See The Renderings Starbucks Now Open At New ON3 Campus, Report Says: See The Renderings
Starbucks Now Open At New ON3 Campus, Report Says: See The Renderings ON3 is shaping up. A brand-new 2,500-square-foot Starbucks has opened at the mixed-use property, which spans Clifton and Nutley, purchased by Prism Capital Partners nearly a decade ago, as first reported by NorthJersey.com.  The outlet says that the Starbucks is located off Route 3 and the main highway access road to Metro Boulevard. The 118.7-acre property formerly home to Hoffmann-La Roche sits across both Clifton (67.39 acres) and Nutley (51.31 acres), according to an update on the project from Prism Capital Partners last July. "The current commercial and academic occupants of the…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Couple Brings Crumbl To Bergen County: How Caloric Cookie Company Became So Popular Couple Brings Crumbl To Bergen County: How Caloric Cookie Company Became So Popular
Couple Brings Crumbl To Bergen County: How Caloric Cookie Company Became So Popular Viral sensation Crumbl Cookies is opening a new Bergen County location. Crumbl is coming to The Shoppes at DePiero Farm, with a grand opening scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8. Owners Leslie and Magarin moved to New York City 11 years ago from the Wild West to chase the dream.  "The couple had no idea that dream would bring them over to New Jersey to open up their own Crumbl shops," Crumbl said in a news release. "They are thrilled to bring the Crumbl experience to Montvale — not just the endless menu of tasty treats, but the bright and energetic atmosphere as well." The company has …

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
These 10 NJ Stop & Shop Stores Have Closed These 10 NJ Stop & Shop Stores Have Closed
These 10 NJ Stop & Shop Stores Have Closed New Jersey officially has 10 fewer Stop & Shop stores. The 10 underperforming locations closed were among 32 nationwide that the grocer announced would be closing by year's end. Stop & Shop has kept 350 stores open, including 47 in New Jersey. The stores that closed on or before Nov. 2 were: 1083 Inman Ave., Edison 1049 US Highway 1 South, Edison 4861 US Highway 9, Howell 1278 US Highway 22, Phillipsburg 581 Stelton Rd., Piscataway 625 Paterson Ave., Carlstadt 1221 State Route 27, Franklin Township 130 Skyline Dr., Ringwood 505 Richmond Ave, Point Pleasant Beach 2275 West County …

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
50 Best Places To Eat In North Jersey In 2024: Yelp Elite's Top Recommendations 50 Best Places To Eat In North Jersey In 2024: Yelp Elite's Top Recommendations
50 Best Places To Eat In North Jersey In 2024: Yelp Elite's Top Recommendations Yelp Elites have released its list of best places to eat in North Jersey for 2024. The user review site used several factors to rank area restaurants, including total volume and ratings by Yelp Elite Squad members from August 2023 to August 2024. Topping off the list at No. 1 is Tops Diner in East Newark, which has 4.4/5 stars and more than 4,700 reviews. No. 2 is Razza Pizza in Jersey City and No. 3 is Kurly Kurtosh, a Hungarian eatery in Nutley known for its chimney-like desserts. Click here for the full list of Top Places to Eat in North Jersey according to Yelp Elites.

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants
TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants Casual dining chain TGI Fridays has filed for bankruptcy several weeks after at least 12 of its restaurants suddenly closed. The company filed the Chapter 11 petition on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Texas, near its Dallas headquarters. Founded in New York City in 1965, TGI Fridays has 95 restaurants in the US, 39 of which the company owns and operates. The other 56 are independent franchises not involved in the bankruptcy petition. The company said that all those locations will remain open. According to the TGI Fridays website and other reports, the following locations are now listed as permanent…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
America's First-Ever Sesame Street Experience Opening At New Jersey Mall America's First-Ever Sesame Street Experience Opening At New Jersey Mall
America's First-Ever Sesame Street Experience Opening At New Jersey Mall A brand-new immersive Sesame Street experience is opening at the American Dream in East Rutherford. The highly-anticipated Sesame Street Learn & Play, the first-ever in the United States, opens on Nov. 16. "This groundbreaking attraction will combine learning with play, offering an immersive experience for guests of all ages through the enchanting world of Sesame Street," a press release reads. Sesame Street Learn & Play promises timeless memories for the entire family through adventures, photo opportunities, and learning experiences.  Children can explore the rainforest as t…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Goldfish Snack Crackers Now Have New Name: Here's What, Why Goldfish Snack Crackers Now Have New Name: Here's What, Why
Goldfish Snack Crackers Now Have New Name: Here's What, Why One of America's favorite snacks has just gotten a more upscale rebranding. Goldfish, the popular cheddar-flavored catch launched in 1962 and known for a special appeal to kids, now has a new name. For a limited time, at least. And there's nothing fishy about why it's made the change. To try to get more adults to reel in the product. Out from the familiar orange-and-white packaging is the iconic "Goldfish Baked Snack Crackers" name, and in is this: "Chilean Sea Bass Baked Snack Crackers." It's a big switch, but the crackers are made with the same ingredients, says Connecticut-based p…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Bloomie's, Smaller Bloomingdale's Store, Opening In Central Jersey Shopping Center Bloomie's, Smaller Bloomingdale's Store, Opening In Central Jersey Shopping Center
Bloomie's, Smaller Bloomingdale's Store, Opening In Central Jersey Shopping Center Bloomingdale's is bringing one of its smaller curated stores to Shrewsbury, officials said. Bloomie's will open in The Grove at Shrewsbury on Thursday, Nov. 14, Bloomingdale's said in a news release. It's the fourth location for the concept shop curated with special selections of fashion, jewelry, and beauty products. The store will be the first of its kind to carry an all-women's collection with "contemporary ready-to-wear" clothing and complementary accessories, among other products. "Bloomie's is a perfect example of how our brand continues to evolve with our shoppers' ne…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Fingerz And Wings: Zaxbys Expanding To NJ With Southern Fast-Food Classics Fingerz And Wings: Zaxbys Expanding To NJ With Southern Fast-Food Classics
Fingerz And Wings: Zaxbys Expanding To NJ With Southern Fast-Food Classics A popular fast-food chain in the South is bringing its chicken fingers and wings to the Garden State. Zaxbys is planning to open six restaurants across New Jersey, the company said in a news release. The first two locations were expected to open in the summer of 2025. GSP Group will operate all six Zaxbys in the state. "We started looking into Zaxbys about a year ago," GSP Group co-owner Premanand Gupta said. "We have always been interested in the growing chicken market, and Zaxbys stood out with its exceptional product and strong business model. We're confident that it will…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Denny's To Close 150 Restaurants Denny's To Close 150 Restaurants
Denny's To Close 150 Restaurants Restaurant chain Denny's plans to shut down as many as 150 of its locations. The company said half of the underperforming outlets will close by the end of the calendar year and the others will go out of business in 2025. Specific restaurants slated for closure have not yet been announced. In announcing the move, Denny's said customers have been ordering from restaurants less often. In addition to the closures, Denny’s will trim the number of items on its menu from 97 to 46 and no longer require outlets to be open 24/7, according to a CNN report. Founded in 1954 in California as Dann…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Buybuy Baby Closing Stores Again — Including Somerset County Location Buybuy Baby Closing Stores Again — Including Somerset County Location
Buybuy Baby Closing Stores Again — Including Somerset County Location Buybuy Baby is closing all of its physical stores as the company transitions to a digital-first approach, according to a statement on its website. Last summer, the company announced it would be closing all stores amid parent company Bed Bath & Beyond's bankruptcy liquidation. Months later, some stores reopened under a new parent company. But, those stores will be closing, again. They are located at: CONNECTICUT 1433 New Britain Ave., West Hartford DELAWARE 501 W Main St., Christiana MASSACHUSETTS 160 Granite St., Braintree MARYLAND 1683 Rockville Pike, Rockville NEW JERSEY …

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands
Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands A massive voluntary recall has been issued for frozen waffles sold by over 14 different grocery store chains nationwide due to the potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, TreeHouse Foods, Inc. announced on Friday, Oct. 18. Over 500 varieties of frozen waffles manufactured by TreeHouse Foods and sold with the branding of major retailers such as Walmart's Great Value and Target's Good & Gather have been recalled because of possible Listeria.  As stated in the release: "Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections …

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by Jillian Pikora
Business
Pizza Hut Unveiling New Restaurant For One Pizza Hut Unveiling New Restaurant For One
Pizza Hut Unveiling New Restaurant For One Pizza Hut is unveiling a new restaurant. It's called Personal Pan Pizza Hut, and it will only serve a 6-inch personal pan pizzas to one customer at a time and by reservation only in a two-day preview. The Personal Pan Pizza Hut will be open in New York City on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 from noon to 7 p.m. in Queens at 50th Avenue and Center Boulevard. Those who can get a spot can choose from any available pizza toppings, including the newest additions to Pizza Hut’s menu: pesto swirl, spicy sauce, chicken sausage, fresh diced garlic, and …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Nationwide Meat Recall Expands To 11.7M Pounds: Products Sold At Major Supermarkets Nationwide Meat Recall Expands To 11.7M Pounds: Products Sold At Major Supermarkets
Nationwide Meat Recall Expands To 11.7M Pounds: Products Sold At Major Supermarkets A nationwide recall of meat and poultry products over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria has been expanded to include 11,765,285 pounds. The initial recall involving the manufacturer, Bruce Pac, was for 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) products sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Trader Joe's, 7-Eleven, Aldi, and other stores. It was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Late Tuesday night, Oct. 15, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced 1.8 million pounds of new products have been added to the recall. Info on …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Robot Masseuses: NJ's First Fully Automated Massage Table Opens At Atlantic City Resort Robot Masseuses: NJ's First Fully Automated Massage Table Opens At Atlantic City Resort
Robot Masseuses: NJ's First Fully Automated Massage Table Opens At Atlantic City Resort Massage technology much more advanced than a handheld wand device has arrived at an Atlantic City casino. Aescape has opened a "fully automated, AI-driven massage table" at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, the resort said in a news release on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Founded in 2017, Aescape also has machines at luxury spas in New York City and Miami. The first-in-New Jersey system generates more than 1.1 million 3D data points on a person's body to map out a unique and targeted massage. "Users access a touchscreen interface to choose from a variety of treatments tailored to their…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Walgreens To Close 1,200 Stores Walgreens To Close 1,200 Stores
Walgreens To Close 1,200 Stores Walgreens plans to close about 1,200 stores over three years amid a decline in prescription drug payments and a rise in online competition. About 500 closures will come in 2025, the company announced in a statement released Tuesday morning, Oct. 15. Specific sites for store closures were not announced. Walgreens said its operating loss in fiscal 2024 was $14.1 billion, an increase of 104.5 percent compared to the year-ago period. Retail sales decreased 3.5 percent compared with the year-ago quarter, "reflecting a challenging retail environment and continued channel shift," Walgreens s…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores 7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is closing hundreds of stores in North America. Parent company Seven & I Holdings said that the 444 locations were “underperforming.” They make up about 3 percent of 7-Eleven's total of around 13,000 outlets in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Specific sites of the stores have not yet been released. In announcing the closures, the company said that 7-Eleven stores saw a 7.3 percent decline in traffic in August, saying a "pullback in consumer spending has persisted beyond prior expectations" that has affected store traffic and sales growth "as consu…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Big Lots To Shut These New Jersey Stores: Closing Sales Under Way Big Lots To Shut These New Jersey Stores: Closing Sales Under Way
Big Lots To Shut These New Jersey Stores: Closing Sales Under Way Big Lots! has announced the closures of even more locations since filing for bankruptcy in September. The company announced on Monday, Sept. 9 that it will sell its assets to an affiliate of private equity firm Nexus Capital Management. Additional closures were approved this month in bankruptcy court.  New Jersey has 27 stores, and 13 of them are set to close with closing sales underway. They are: Cherry Hill, 949 Church Road Dover, 550 Mount Pleasant Avenue East Brunswick, 275 Route 18 Freehold, 220 Trotters Way Glassboro, 811 N Delsea Drive Jersey Ci…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Sun Sets On Gillian's Wonderland Pier: Hundreds Show Up For One Last Ride Sun Sets On Gillian's Wonderland Pier: Hundreds Show Up For One Last Ride
Sun Sets On Gillian's Wonderland Pier: Hundreds Show Up For One Last Ride Gillian's Wonderland Pier shut down the rides one last time on Sunday, Oct. 13. Hundreds of people showed up this weekend to say goodbye to the Ocean City. amusement park as it closed after 94 years in business. In August, Mayor Jay Gillian, the park's owner, announced he'd be terminating the multi-year lease in the weeks to come. This was it. "We weren’t going to miss the final day at Wonderland," one longtime pier-goer said. "So sad that this place won’t be around for future generations. Lots of great memories. Ocean City won’t be the same without it." View this post…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
TGI Friday's Suddenly Closes At Least 12 Restaurants TGI Friday's Suddenly Closes At Least 12 Restaurants
TGI Friday's Suddenly Closes At Least 12 Restaurants Casual dining chain TGI Fridays has closed at least a dozen of its restaurants in the last few weeks. Click here for a new, updated story: TGI Friday's Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants According to the company's website and other reports, the following locations are now listed as permanently closed: New York Middletown, 23 Crystal Run Crossing Poughkeepsie, 2594 South Road (Route 9) Clifton Park, 1 Southside Drive  Connecticut Enfield, Freshwater-Stateline Plaza, 130 Elm Street Pennsylvania Allentown,  395 S Ceda…

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by Joe Lombardi