BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse. (Company Photo)
A national restaurant and brewery chain is planning to construct a nearly 10,000 square foot building in Toms River to open its next location, according to documents filed with the township.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse is planning to open its second New Jersey location (the first is in Teterboro) in Toms River at the site of the Ocean County Mall. The restaurant will not be based inside the mall itself, rather, the company is planning to construct a 9,947 square foot, 32 foot tall building at a pad site on the mall property. The exact location of the pad site was not divulged in a filing with the township’s zoning board.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse is known for “award-winning handcrafted beer … the Southern California twist we’ve put on the Chicago-style pizza, and … Pizookies, our world-renowned dessert,” the company’s website states. The menu includes an array of sandwiches, burgers and salads and a large number of appetizers and small plates.
The current menu lists several craft beers and ciders, including pumpkin ale, blonde ale, an IPA, plus a nut-flavored brew and berry cider.
The restaurant and associated parking spaces will take up 2.23-acres, according to planning documents. It conforms to the usage zoned at the property, but requires a number of minor “bulk” variances, such as landscaping and wall sign plans.
The hearing will be held Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. at the township municipal complex.
