Business Buzz
By Rich Baehrle
Town Square Entertainment has brought great entertainment to the Jersey Shore. It has invested millions of dollars renovating several buildings into fine theaters in Stone Harbor (Harbor Square), Ventnor (Ventnor Square), Rio Grande (Cape Entertainment), Northfield (Tilton Square) and now at the historic Moorlyn Theater building on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Partners Clinton Bunting, Scot P. Kaufman, Scot M. Kaufman and Brett DeNaf have a vision to provide great venues that provide quality entertainment for people year-round. Their latest venue will be the Moorlyn Theater which is located on Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk. Closed since 2016, it’s scheduled to reopen in mid-July 2024 after major renovations.
It was originally built in the early 1900s, but a leaking roof and the fact that it has been closed for an extended period of time really took a toll.
The partners bought the building in 2022 and invested a substantial amount of money and time rejuvenating the building, bringing it back to the feel of yesterday. They will be making quite a splash with four state-of-the-art, comfortable theaters which will assure a great experience for all ages.
The Moorlyn Square theater will be different from Stone Harbor, Ventnor and Rio Grande as it will not have alcoholic beverages due to the city’s restrictions against selling alcohol.
The Harbor Square Theater in Stone Harbor was their first entertainment center. It is truly a must see featuring four silver screens along with a burger bar, craft beers, wine and more. It is a whole new experience for a family night out. They also provide live entertainment shows. You will notice it while you are approaching the vintage neon sign hanging over the marquee designed to emulate something from the 1940s.
The Square partners bought the Ventnor Square in August 2018. After years of unexpected setbacks due to structural issues and a pandemic shutdown, the partners were able to see their dream come alive.
Their arduous restoration became a masterpiece reminiscent of the golden age of Hollywood. It is complemented by the ever-popular Nucky’s Speakeasy Bar. The popularity and community support have been beyond any expectation.
Tilton Square followed Ventnor where the partners took a tired theater and totally gutted it. They created another masterpiece which features an IMAX theater to complement the other theaters. Just like all of the other venues, the attention to detail is evident everywhere. The only drawback is that the reclining seats are so comfortable that it’s tempting to doze off.
I personally think the icing on the cake and the gem of all of the entertainment centers is Cape Square Entertainment. It is an experience like no other in New Jersey.
Located in Rio Grande just minutes off the Garden State Parkway, you will enjoy hours of fun with not only a movie theater; it also features a brand-new bowling alley, and a casual dining area which includes a bar. Kids and adults alike can spend hours of fun in the arcade with all of its very cool neon lights and fixtures.
The Town Square Entertainment Partners look forward to a great summer. The Jersey Shore thanks the Town Square Entertainment Partners for giving us such fun venues. Please take the time to visit each of their locations. Each one has a different theme that won’t disappoint you.
Remember. Stop, stay and play at the Jersey Shore.
Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-266-6680
or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com
