Steakhouse, Ice Cream Shop Opening On Main Street In Woodbridge

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — There is some major Woodbridge business news afoot: A steakhouse is coming to Main Street in downtown Woodbridge, and an ice cream/doughnuts shop already opened, also on Main Street. Also, Knot Just Bagels is relocating to Main Street and will re-open there later this year.

Mayor John McCormac held photo-ops Thursday to celebrate all the business news, calling it "the continuation of Woodbridge's Main Street renaissance."

The steakhouse will occupy the former Woodbridge National Bank building. 106 Main Street will be the future home of Strickland Steakhouse, owned by Michael Strickland. Strickland already owns and operates two restaurants on Staten Island and is a life-long Woodbridge resident; he lives in the Port Reading section.

Strickland is the owner/operator of Staten Island-based West Shore Inn (voted #1 steakhouse in Staten Island) and the Fig & Vine, serving elevated Italian-American cuisine, also on Staten Island.

Strickland Steakhouse in Woodbridge will occupy both floors of the former two-story bank, with seating upstairs. McCormac described it "an upscale casual restaurant that will serve as the cornerstone for the continued redevelopment of Main Street and the downtown business district into a destination location for residents and visitors."

This is the first time Strickland will open a restaurant in his hometown.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to serve our new friends and neighbors here in Woodbridge Township," said Strickland.

Strickland said he was looking to open a steakhouse in Central New Jersey and Woodbridge's Main Street business district "came out on top as the number-one market demographic ... There is no doubt that the upscale and much-anticipated development in downtown Woodbridge will be a huge catalyst to reinvigorate the Main Street business district."

Eric LeGrand is planning to open a coffee shop near the Woodbridge train station later this summer; it will be located at the new apartment building currently under construction at Rahway Ave. and Green Street.

There is no opening date set for the steakhouse opening.

However, Thursday did mark the grand opening of Daffy’s Holy Cow Donuts and Ice Cream, located at 114 Main Street. The ice cream shop is owned by Gabriella Velona.

Also, this week saw the reopening of Woodbridge's Main Street Barber Shop, owned by Michael Apito.

Apito moved Main Street Barber Shop to a new location at 114 Main Street, and Daffy’s Holy Cow Donuts & Ice Cream is located right next door, at 114B Main Street.

Additionally, Sharon McAuliffe, owner/operator of Knot Just Bagels, announced that her business will relocate to 93 Main Street and is slated to re-open later this year.

McCormac has been criticized by some for allowing so much development to happen in Woodbridge in recent years. But on Thursday he said the Woodbridge residential building boom is attracting businesses like the steakhouse and ice cream shop to open up.

"The redevelopment projects now underway will not only serve as the catalyst for new businesses to locate to Main Street, but will add substantial tax ratables to the Township as the economic upswing continues to grow in Woodbridge proper," said McCormac.

McCormac was supposed to be joined by First Ward Councilwoman Nancy Bader-Drumm, who is facing a primary challenge next Tuesday from Ken Gardner, but she did not attend on Thursday.

Keep reading: Woodbridge Primary Election: Who's On The Ballot, How To Vote

Ken Gardner: Why I'm Running For Woodbridge First Ward Council

Eric LeGrand To Open Coffee Shop By Woodbridge Train Station

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