One of Asbury Park’s most beloved restaurants just made a major change. Moonstruck has been a staple of the AP community for over 25 years, with the original restaurant dating back to the late 1990s. Earlier this week, the Moonstruck team took to Facebook to announce that they would be selling the restaurant at 517 Lake Avenue, as owners Howard Raczkiewicz and Luke Magliaro are retiring. It has since been revealed that the spot has been sold to new owners, who have not been named as of this writing. Read on for more about the sale and Moonstruck’s history in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

The Sale

Moonstruck’s team announced the news of the owners retirement on Monday, April 14th, 2025 — noting that this was not farewell, and they were looking for a new owner to buy the space. See the full post below:

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What’s Next?

Just a few days after the announcement, it looks like Moonstruck may already have new owners in the works. Moonstruck co-owner Luke Magliaro told Patch Asbury Park that the restaurant has been sold. The new owners have not been revealed as of this writing.

Moonstruck said via a Facebook post that they are “touched by the outpouring of love and support we have received,” and the restaurant will be in their hands for the next few weeks.

“Wow! We are so touched by the outpouring of love and support we have received since posting the news that we are selling Moonstruck. The restaurant is still in our hands for a couple more weeks. And then we will remain with the new owners to help with the transition. They have every intention to keep things the way they are. Same name, same menu, same kitchen staff, same service staff. Hopefully any changes will only be for the better!” the post reads.

The Moonstruck team shared with The Jersey Shore Girl that they will share further information soon — this post will be updated with any other details.

Background on Moonstruck

Moonstruck has a long history at the Jersey Shore. Per the website, it all began in 1988 with with The Raspberry Café — a breakfast and lunch spot known for its fresh food, juice bar, and homemade muffins. The original Moonstruck restaurant opened in Ocean Grove in 1996 as a small BYOB storefront, and made the move to Lake Avenue in downtown Asbury Park in May 2002.

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Housed in a three-story Victorian-style building with views of Wesley Lake, the Victorian homes of Ocean Grove, and The Great Auditorium — an Ocean Grove landmark — Moonstruck is a local favorite for al fresco dining, cocktails, and good food. The spot serves up American-Mediterranean cuisine, including dishes like eggplant fries, garlic-roasted shrimp, fettuccine salmon, and pan-roasted chicken, among other items.

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