This week, Asbury Park lost a longtime player in its local food + drink scene. The Local Mainstay Bar + Lounge, formerly The Bonney Read, officially closed at 525 Cookman Avenue after ten years. Chef James Avery, the celebrity chef behind the operation, cited “significant challenges” within the industry in an Instagram post announcing the closure. Read on for everything we know about The Mainstay’s closure in Asbury Park. 

The Announcement

On Tuesday, September 10th, The Local Mainstay took to Instagram in a collaborated post with Chef James Avery to share its final goodbye. The caption reads:

“After ten wonderful years at 525 Cookman Ave, we’ve made the tough decision to close. The last three years have brought significant changes to our industry and the world, and we need to adapt accordingly. We’ve worked hard to provide exceptional food, hospitality, and entertainment to our cherished guests and the Asbury Park community. If you’ve ever enjoyed a meal or celebrated a special moment with us at @bonneyreadap or @itsthemainstay we want to thank you for your support. Be on the lookout, as all of us at Nicely Done Hospitality look forward to serving you in new ways in the future ❤️.” 

The post garnered nearly 100 comments from locals expressing their disappointment in the closure and recalling fond memories of the two businesses that called Cookman Avenue home. “Sorry to hear many fun nights this past summer,” one user wrote. “We loved your spots so much! You will be missed but can’t wait to see what you come up with in the future,” shared another.

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Per its Google listing, the restaurant is permanently closed, effective immediately. It will not be open throughout the weekend.

The Backstory

The Bonney Read restaurant first opened in downtown Asbury Park in 2015. It was a quick favorite for locals, made popular by its selection of seafood and happy hour specials. A product of celebrity Chef James Avery — a sous chef on Hell’s Kitchen from seasons 11-14 — The Bonney Read would be the first of multiple Asbury Park ventures from the TV personality.

Just last year, Chef Avery decided to convert The Bonney Read into The Mainstay, a more casual offshoot of its predecessor. In a conversation with The Asbury Park Press, Chef Avery shared that this decision was largely prompted by “economic factors following the pandemic.” He described the project as a “less labor-intensive and price-appropriate-for-the-times concept” to the outlet.

Before the transition, though, Chef Avery launched his second AP food destination: The Black Swan Public House, which features a menu of classic pub fare like shepherd’s pie and fish + chips. It’ll be business as usual over at The Black Swan, which remains open at 601 Mattison Avenue.

What’s Next?

In the aforementioned conversation with The Asbury Park Press, Chef Avery confirmed his return to Hell’s Kitchen for its upcoming 23rd season, which premieres September 26, 2024. The outlet confirmed that Chef Avery is going back to his roots as “Gordon Ramsay’s on-camera sous chef on the show.”

The restaurant group behind the project, Nicely Done Hospitality, is looking for a tenant to take over the remaining two years of the building’s (525 Cookman Avenue) lease. The building is owned by Sackman Enterprises.

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Of course, we’ll update this story as more details unfold. For now, be sure to follow @thejerseyshoregirl_ on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Jersey Shore happenings.