🥞Saving Our Diners!!

Together With

Good morning Monmouth County! This is our lightest issue to date as we all begin the final descent to Christmas. We hope everyone gets to relax this week. But don’t worry, you’re regularly schedule Thursday issue of Monmouth Buzz will still be arriving Christmas morning.

TODAY’S BUZZ 🐝 

🥞 Saving Our Diners

🏠️ Christmas House at Freehold Raceway Mall

🍸️ Le Petit Cocktail Club

🎶 Christmas Carol-mania

🍕 Patiently Waiting for Coniglio’s

🧘‍♀️ Christmas Yoga

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

📰 NEWS

🥞 Saving Our Diners!!

The Garden State’s iconic diner culture faces a potential lifeline through the proposed "Saving Our Diners and Protecting Our Past Act" (Senate Bill S4954 and Assembly Bill A6283), a legislative package introduced this month to shield historic eateries from rising operational costs. The bill would establish an official state registry for "historic" diners and family-owned restaurants that have been in continuous operation for at least 25 years, granting certified establishments a 12-month exemption from collecting sales tax on prepared foods and beverages. Additionally, business owners could claim a corporate or gross income tax credit equal to 10% of their annual ingredient costs, capped at $25,000, to help offset the financial pressures that have recently forced several multi-generational landmarks to close their doors.

🧸 Shopping Small is a Big Hit!!

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners recently celebrated the record-breaking success of the 2025 Holiday Made in Monmouth expo, which saw more than 300 local vendors and thousands of shoppers gather at Brookdale Community College on December 13. Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone expressed deep gratitude to the vendors, shoppers, and County employees whose dedication made this year’s event the most successful since its inception in 2012. As a free initiative designed to strengthen the local economy, the expo provided a vibrant platform for Monmouth County manufacturers to showcase everything from handcrafted jewelry and home décor to local food and art. Following this historic turnout, officials are already looking forward to the Spring 2025 event, encouraging residents to continue supporting small businesses throughout the year and to stay tuned for the next date announcement in the New Year.

🎄 HOLIDAY EVENTS

Christmas Train Village | 12/24, 12pm-5pm, Duggan Hall, Spring Lake info 

Christmas Wonderland at Maple Leaf Farms | 12/24, 10am-1pm, Maple Leaf Farms, Manalapan info 

Magic of Lights | 12/22-1/3, Su-Th 5pm-10pm, F/S 5pm-11pm, PNC Arts Center, Holmdel info 

The Village at Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farms | 12/22, 12/23, 5pm-9pm, Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan info 

U-Pick Tulips Winter Wonderland | 12/22, 12/23, 5pm-8pm, Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge info 

Christmas House | 12/22-12/31, M/W/Th 4pm-9pm T 4pm-9:30pm, Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold info 

Christmas Carolmania: Interactive Christmas Sing-Alone | 12/23, 7:30pm-9pm, Count Basie-HMH Theater, Red Bank info 

Ornament Painting | 12/22, 6pm-8pm, Tall Oaks Farm & Brewery, Farmingdale info

🍔 FOOD & 🍹 DRINK

🍕 Patiently Waiting for Coniglio’s

In just three years, Coniglio’s Old Fashioned has transformed from a Morristown newcomer into a local legend, and now owner Nino Coniglio is bringing that momentum to Monmouth County. Opening at 629 Mattison Avenue in Asbury Park, the new "King of Pies" will occupy a historic 123-year-old building that once housed Killer Pies. While the official opening is imminent—with the owner aiming to serve customers by the end of 2025 pending final inspections—the initial launch will feature limited hours and a focused menu of New York-style, Sicilian, and grandma pies, alongside sandwiches served on fresh, house-made bread. We took a peek in the windows yesterday and it looks like a 2026 opening is probably more likely.

The expansion comes as no surprise given Nino’s pedigree as a 10-time World Pizza Champion and a Food Network Chopped winner. While the shop will start small, focusing on dinner five nights a week before expanding into lunch and breakfast, the Coniglios have ambitious plans for the site. They eventually hope to purchase the entire building, secure a liquor license, and open a premier rooftop bar. For now, fans can look forward to the same award-winning quality that made their Morristown location a staple.

Miracle at Avenue | 12/23 3pm-9pm, Avenue-Pier Village, Long Branch info 

Le Petit Cocktail Club | 12/23, 7:00 PM, Pascal & Sabine, Asbury Park info

🎨 ART, HISTORY & EDUCATION

Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend | 12/22-3/1, T-Su 10am-4pm, Monmouth Museum, Lincroft info 

Members Showcase: Celebrating Creativity | 12/22-1/11, T-Su 10am-4pm, Monmouth Museum, Lincroft info 

Great Beads for Good Causes Exhibit | 12/22-12/31, 9am-9pm, Shrewsbury Library, Shrewsbury info 

Manasquan Group of Artists Art Exhibit | 12/22-12/31, 9am-5pm, Shrewsbury Library, Shrewsbury info 

Adult Book Club | 12/22, 11:30 AM, Freehold Family YMCA, Freehold info 

Praise & Paint | 12/23, 2pm, Sun Moon Studio, Keyport info

⚾️ SPORTS & FITNESS 🏃‍♂️ 

Christmas Yoga | 12/22, 12/24, 9am-9:45am, Marucci Park, Spring Lake info 

Yoga for Beginners | 12/22, 6:30pm-8pm, Manalapan Library, Manalapan info 

Chair Yoga | 12/23, 10am-11am, Manalapan Library, Manalapan info 

Adult Yoga | 12/23, 6:30pm-7:30pm, Croydon Hall, Leonardo info

🌊 ☀️ BEACH

Asbury Park - Ocean Temp. 43°F

Mon 12/22: Low 2:06 am | High 8:20 am | Low 2:51 pm | High 8:51 pm | Sunrise 7:16 am | Sunset 4:35 pm

Tue 12/23: Low 2:44 am | High 8:58 am | Low 3:27 pm | High 9:33 pm | Sunrise 7:17 am | Sunset 4:35 pm

Wed 12/24: Low 3:22 am | High 9:39 am | Low 4:04 am | High 10:18 pm | Sunrise 7:17 am | Sunset 4:36 pm

Thu 12/25: Low 4:03 am | High 10:26 am | Low 4:43 am | High 11:07 pm | Sunrise 7:16 am | Sunset 4:35 pm