Milltown approves Applebee’s

The Milltown Planning Board has approved the Applebee’s application to build a 6,000-square-foot eatery in Ryder’s Crossing Shopping Center.

Delay of the application was due, in part, to the developer’s request to take over two retail spaces for the restaurant rather than the single 2,400-square-foot space originally intended for Applebee’s.

Builder Arisa Realty asked planning officials to combine a 4,000- and 2,000-square-foot space to better accommodate the restaurant’s needs. The 2,400-square-foot space could then go to another retailer.

The board agreed to Arisa’s terms and voted in favor of moving forward with the application.

"As long as they meet specified construction requirements, I see no problem with this project coming into fruition sooner rather than later," said borough Business Administrator Richard Rydstrom.

While an exact date has yet to be set for Applebee’s grand opening, early speculation has pointed toward February, said Rydstrom.

Once completed, Applebee’s restaurant will join Ryder’s Crossing store veterans Target, Home Depot and Staples. It will be located immediately next door to Blinds to Go, just off the Ryder’s Lane entrance.

Restaurant hours will be 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

Arisa Realty’s engineer, John Shultis, also told the Planning Board that residents should expect to see a bank and an Acme supermarket added shortly after the new year.

— Nicole C. Vaccaro