Expansion on Zebu’s table; T-Berry Square relocating
MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Red Bank resident Armando Jimenez, a native of Mexico, works the dough in Zebu, 20 Broad St., Red Bank, which will be expanding into the space currently occupied by T Berry Square.
Broad St. eatery owners plan to fill entire ground floor of building
BY GLORIA STRAVELLI
Staff Writer
Change is the order of the day at Zebu Forno, both behind the scenes and up front at the Broad Street bistro.
Victor Rallo Jr., who co-founded Zebu with his late father, Victor Sr., confirmed that he has sold his interest in the café to partners Andrew and Jason Gennusa.
The Gennusas are planning a major expansion of Zebu into adjacent space at 20 Broad St. that will increase seating and storage capacity.
The expansion would add 1,600 square feet of space and increase the bistro’s seating capacity from 18 to 40 people.
"I’m going to concentrate on Basil T’s in Red Bank for now and spend more time with my family," said Rallo, who also will continue his training regimen for a planned cross-country bicycle ride.
Rallo said he is no longer a principal in Basil T’s in Toms River.
The changes will mean a new location for Zebu neighbor T Berry Square, which will move from 20 Broad to 62 Broad St., the former site of Merle Norman Cosmetics Boutique.
The move will occur in January.
The vintage and reproduction furniture, lighting and accessories shop has a new owner, too.
Manager Jennifer Quinn has bought the business from founders Linda and Stan Gilbert.
The Rallos originally opened Zebu as a coffeehouse across from the Red Bank train station.
They moved the business to Broad Street three years ago and changed the format to a café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Founders of the original Manhattan Bagel franchise operation, the Gennusas became partners in Zebu Forno and Zebu Old World Bakery, a wholesale bakery offshoot based in Shrewsbury, three years ago.
The bakery has ceased operation.
The brothers, both Holmdel residents, outlined their expansion concept to the Red Bank Planning Board before filing for formal approval of a development application.
The expansion plans would restore the ground level at 20 Broad St. to one space.
For Zebu’s move three years ago, the existing retail space was split by a wall that separated Zebu and T Berry Square.
The renovation of the building, located in the historic district, would require Planning Board approval of a change of use for the additional space from retail to primary food.
The building is owned by 17 Broad St. LLC.
According to Andrew Gennusa, a major impetus for expansion is the severe lack of storage space at Zebu, which requires deliveries be made almost daily.
"It’s an obstacle that hinders our operation. The proposed expansion will change the frequency of deliveries because now there is nowhere to put anything," he said. "We think the expansion will significantly reduce the amount of deliveries per day, probably by half."
Gennusa said expansion plans call for the existing restaurant portion of Zebu to remain the same and new kitchen, storage and prep areas be created in the new space.
Plans by Red Bank architect Wayne Lerman call for a 12- to 15-foot opening in the common wall that would make seating in the adjoining space accessible.
The expansion would require parking variances since the location provides no parking.
"Broad Street has changed dramatically and, in my opinion, Zebu has been huge for Broad Street," Andrew Gennusa told members of the Planning Board recently. "Most restaurants and retail in town are high-end. Zebu is one of the few places people can still go and get a bargain."
A former corporate sales executive, Quinn decided on a career change and joined T Berry Square as manager in February.
"I left the corporate world. My clients were based in the city and I wanted out," said Quinn, a graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School and Monmouth University, West Long Branch. "I always had a creative side and decided to explore my passion. I immediately fell in love with it here.
"The Gilberts wanted to concentrate on their wholesale lighting business. They wanted out of their retail business and I wanted in. I love working with people and I’ve always wanted my own business in the area," said the Tinton Falls resident. "So when this opportunity arose, I jumped on it."
Four years ago the Gilberts moved T Berry from 8 Broad St. to 20 Broad, next door to George & Minnie, an upscale women’s boutique once operated in the space currently occupied by Zebu.
The Gilberts plan to launch a company specializing in custom-designed lighting fixtures, and T Berry will be the exclusive area dealer for their designs, Quinn said.
She said she will maintain T Berry’s focus on linens and vintage and reproduction furniture and lighting, and will expand the children’s line.
"I’ll start doing more with T Berry Baby so it will be bed, bath, baby and home. I want to cover the whole gamut."