Tiki Bar, Mini-Golf Projects in Belmar Moving 'Full Speed Ahead'

Belmar's governing body this week passed a resolution approving a lease agreement with a major local restauranteur to build a tiki bar and miniature golf course at the Ninth Avenue pier this summer. 

Chefs International, which owns the Jack Baker's line of restaurants in Point Pleasant Beach and several others across the eastern U.S., earlier this year after the borough went cool on a potential deal with international developer Hibernian to finance a $10 million redevelopment project at the marina. 

Robert Cooper, president and CEO of Chefs International, has said the proposed restaurant, dubbed for now as "9th Ave. Pier," would be similar to the Patio Bar in Point Pleasant Beach, offering "festival style" food, brick oven pizza, and a raw bar. 

Mayor Matt Doherty said he expects the tiki bar/restaurant open by mid-July and the miniature golf course running "sometime" in August.

"They're moving ahead full speed," Doherty said of a recent meeting he had with company representatives. 

Cooper, who pitched the project at a Borough Council meeting in April, said he estimates the project will cost $3.5 million. 

According to the proposed lease agreement, Chefs International would pay Belmar $95,000 per year, compounded by 3 percent each year for 25 years, Doherty said. The borough stands to make $3.4 million in rent from the company over those 25 years. 

Cooper has said the bar would operate between April and October and open daily at 11:30 a.m., weather permitting. 

To alleviate concerns from residents regarding noise, Doherty said music at the bar would end at 11 p.m. Also, alcohol would stop being served at midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.