McLoone’s Restaurants, which operates five restaurants at the Jersey shore, will build and run Essex County’s new eatery at the South Mountain Recreation Complex. County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Tuesday, October 19, that a letter of intent had been signed with McLoone’s to create a family-friendly restaurant next to the county’s new miniature golf course on Northfield Avenue in West Orange.
“I couldn’t be happier about being back in Essex County,” said McLoone’s restaurants owner Tim McLoone, who was raised in Essex County. “I feel like I am coming home and hope that everyone feels that way when they come to this restaurant.”
McLoone operates five restaurants in southern New Jersey and one restaurant in Maryland: McLoone’s Rum Runner in Sea Bright, McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch, McLoone’s at Favorites in Fords, McLoone’s Asbury Grill and Tim McLoone’s Supper Club in Asbury Park, and McLoone’s Pier House in National Harbor, Md.
The 12,000-square-foot restaurant, which will also have a 6,000-square-foot deck overlooking the Orange Reservoir, will be built over the winter and open next summer. McLoone’s will pay Essex County $22,500 in rent monthly and put $12,000 a year into a beautification fund for site maintenance.
The site is adjacent to the 19-hole miniature golf course, which has parking for 277 cars. According to the county more than 10,000 people have already played at miniGOLF Safari, generating more than $50,000 in revenue. There is a free shuttle at the site to transport guests from miniGOLF to Turtle Back Zoo and the Codey Arena.
