By Sunayana Prabhu
LITTLE SILVER—Nearly 10 years ago, the borough issued its only liquor consumption license, and now residents have a shot at enjoying it.
Last month, the construction firm Kelly Builders & Developers, who have held that sole liquor consumption license for years, broke ground on a new family-friendly Italian restaurant and bar named Locale on the lot formerly occupied by Pix Shoes at 51 Oceanport Ave. The site is located between the NJ Transit parking lot and Brave New World Surf and Snow.
A call in 1976 to bring a liquor license to the borough failed. In 1981, bor- ough residents voted 2-to-1 against a referendum for a liquor license, but in November 2015, Little Silver voters had a change of heart. “(They) said, Little Silver, go ahead and issue a license. So, we did that,” said Little Silver Mayor Robert Neff.
Currently Little Silver has one package goods license for Little Silver Bottle Shop at 497 Prospect Ave. Locale will be the only restaurant in Little Silver to hold a liquor consumption license. Under the state Division of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) guidelines, a municipality can issue one new consumption license for every 6,000 residents, Neff explained. Little Silver’s population “always hovers around 6,000,” ensuring it can only have one, he said.
Brothers Matthew and Michael Kelly, principals of the Oceanport-based developer, spent nearly three decades in the borough watching families grow and thrive – including their own – but felt “there was a missing link, a link to bring the community together to socialize,” said Matt Kelly.
The new venture is a collaboration between the Kelly brothers and the Ottaiano family, which has been in the restaurant business for 50 years. Giuseppe Ottaiano Jr., son of the long-time restaurateur Giuseppe Ottaiano Sr., leads the culinary vision. Joining him are siblings Tom Ottaiano, a former NFL player turned entrepreneur, and event planner Natalie Priore. The Ottaianos also own Calabria restaurant in Livingston, a fine dining restaurant and pizzeria known for its extensive wine list and award-winning Italian food.
The initial proposal for Locale was larger in scope and drew concerns from residents about potential traffic, noise and late hours of operation. The owners revised their proposal scaling down the footprint and keeping it within the former shoe store, Neff noted. “They’re not expanding it. There will be a small bar with less than 10 seats, brick oven pizza, and we’re excited to see them give it a try,” he said.
Locale will be a single-story, 2,400-square-foot tavern with a brick oven and outdoor pergola, steps away from the train station. Kelly called it “a warm and inviting Italian restaurant with a bar area.”
“Growing up, it was always about the food, the quality of the food, and the love that went into making it,” Kelly said, reminiscing about his childhood with an Italian mother. “I see the incredible memories and moments that sitting at that table gave me, and I want that for this community.”
Locale’s interior is designed to “evoke a sense of comfort and warmth, perfect for casual gatherings and special occasions. With cozy, farmhouse/Tuscan chic decor, guests will feel right at home,” he said. The menu boasts “classic Italian cuisine,” from homemade pasta to award-winning pies. The restaurant also promises “a well-stocked bar” featuring a variety of wines, cocktails and craft beers.
But Kelly isn’t just focused on his Italian roots. “My Irish side is happy, too, because now you will be able to get a drink with your meal,” he joked.
Little Silver is a gem in the Two River area, with a great school rating, green neighborhoods, and a downtown that has been adapting to changes and thriving amid competitive tourist destinations like Red Bank, Sea Bright and Asbury Park nearby.
Neff said the borough has embraced its unique character and optimized its downtown strip, which is “ready” for the big changes coming as Netflix prepares to build on the former Fort Monmouth. He noted that the downtown shopfronts are always occupied as new businesses move in when old ones leave.
The article originally appeared in the June 13 – June 19, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
