Red Lobster waiting for OK
on Manalapan liquor license
MANALAPAN — If municipal officials approve an application for the one liquor license that is presently available in Manalapan, there is a good chance area residents will be dipping their claws into a dish of butter at a new Red Lobster restaurant.
GMRI Inc., of Orlando, Fla., has submitted an application for the liquor license, municipal officials said at an April 10 meeting of the Township Committee. The application has been forwarded to the township attorney and the police department for review.
At the present time, no objections to the application have been received from the public.
The police have indicated that an investigation of the applicant is in progress. A preliminary report filed by Police Chief John G. McCormack states that the preliminary findings show there is no reason to reject the application.
Township Attorney Matthew J. Giacobbe said he received several documents which were all in order and in compliance with the initial bid specifications from the Darden Corp. Inc. The corporation operates restaurants such as Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smoky Bones.
Giacobbe told committee members he is waiting for a report from the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission.
Representing GMRI Inc., Douglas E. Chojnowski, northeast real estate director, Darden Restaurants Inc., East Brunswick, said GMRI Inc. signs the leases for the restaurants and purchases the liquor licenses throughout the country.
"Darden Restaurants is the largest casual restaurant chain in the world." Chojnowski said. "That doesn’t include fast-food restaurants."
According to information provided to the committee, the new Red Lobster restaurant would be built in a corner of the Bradlees parking lot near the Route 9 exit ramp which leads to Craig Road.
The proposed plan calls for a 246-seat restaurant with a bar area and patio seating. The building would be slightly smaller than a Red Lobster restaurant on Route 18, East Brunswick.
"This restaurant would be about 7,000 square feet," Chojnowski said. "We’ve scaled down, but we think we can do the same amount of sales. We have entered into negotiations and we have an agreement with (property owner) Vornado Realty Trust at this point."
Although a lease has not been executed, Chojnowski said, he did expect there would be a lease and a site plan should be able to receive Planning Board approval at some future date.
Municipal officials noted there is commuter parking in the area where the Red Lobster is proposed and indicated they would try to work with the property owner to maintain those parking spaces.
Chojnowski called the Manalapan location ideal.
If all goes well, the liquor license application could be approved by May 20.