International Grocery holds up the northern end of our Shrewsbury Ave food tour, at #92. The family sells tacos from most of the different regions of Mexico.

Native-born observers have said this is the only true taqueria we have in Red Bank, fully dedicated to the taco is all its glory. Grocery's menu lists sixteen variations available from their small but busy kitchen. I gather you can special order personalized combinations of ingredients if, like me, you are so inclined.  

Our Californian neighbors on River Street say the shop reminds them of classic authentic old school taquerias. Don't let the old grocery store sign fool you, head on in and try to decide what to order  on your first visit. 

La Chaparrita at 185 shrewsbury, known for its early 6am open to serve working men heading out at dawn, serves a huge menu featuring all the 'food formats' you are used to. On weekends they make fine tamales, like mole, salsa verde, salsa roja and rajas. A small outdoor space on Shrewsbury Ave is sunny. Order tamales early, like La Juquila and Grocery, they get super busy on the weekends. 

La Juquila Deli and La Juquila Grocery at 108 Shrewsbury, the smallest of the group, punches above its weight on weekends with their famed chicken empanadas, a pozole rojo and many types of tamales. They make a good burger too I am told. Stop in for snacks, meals and grocery items as well. This place is the favorite of my Puebla-born, West Side resident guide. 

Juanito's Grill at 191 Shrewsbury, boasts a parking lot off Catherine Street, a spacious covered rear loggia and a large, new interior. A fusion of Mexican food from around the country with options for pasta, salads and grilled meats, the Grill takes the menu up a notch. Friendly service and BYOB. Try Thursday's Fish Taco night.

Those of you who know the original on Monmouth will recognize the approach. Next door visit our family's go-to for sliced chicken and pork, cilantro and limes - Juanito's Grocery. The store serves the regional Mexican-American community as well. 

A side note:  Bridge Avenue has Senor Pepper, Mi Lupita's Kitchen and Mariscos Marlin, all serving lovely Mexican food as well. 

R E A L  E S T A T E   &   T H E  W E S T  S I D E 

Investor rehabs for rentals or sales continue. Generally the resulting house is offered both for sale and for rent. Best result for the seller takes it. While not as beneficial to us as owner-occupied rehab, it is can be a good value indicator as professional owners, close to the market, are often long term Red Bank investors.

Due to the limited choices buyers encounter, while values have softened they have not yet changed dramatically this fall. These uncertain times are reflected in this market, as in so many others realms. Mortgage rates have doubled in a few months! Any settling back down to 5% is some way off, most feel. Note that the current 7% is the historic average, hopefully indicating things have not gone totally crazy. 

N O T A B L E W E S T S I D E C L O S I N G S

from the MLS records of closed contracts signed in the the last twelve months

Eight months ago the 16 Catherine Street modern townhouse went for $725,000, the highest closing price in our community in the last twelve months. 

53 and 65 Chapin Avenue, both three bedroom houses with riverfront land, sold for $565,000 and $575,000, respectively. Also with River land, 47 Chapin went for 519 as it has two bedrooms. 

26 1/2 Earl Place, a three-bed 1.5 bath home in good condition sold for 475 in February. A remodeled 108 Drs. Parker # D9 closed at 445. A fully renovated 26 West Westside 2 bed/1 bth did 425 this summer 

3 Bedroom One Bath homes sold in 2020: 96 Herbert for 330, 177 Leighton fetched 313.5,
22 Cedar got 320,000 and 22 East Sunset traded at 337,500. A location on a very good block seemed to help 46 East Westside hit 350 with just two beds. A remodeled 151 Catherine Street reached $385,000 and the remodeled, large-lot 21 Carmen Place went for 410 a year ago. 

As of 10/26/22, there were 28 listings in the Boro of Red Bank, ten of which are detached homes. The rest are apartments, townhouses and over-55 units. 7 homes are on the West Side.    

Happy to do a deeper dive with you via email. 

O U R O W N L O C A L S U P P E R C L U B

T H E G R E A T O U T D O O R S

Did you know that we have several more venues on the Westside ? The most active is the TRIUMPH BREWING COMPANY, the supper club (drinks, dining and dancing) across the road from the TWO RIVER THEATER. Triumph features  a wide variety of genres by well-regarded musicians from Thursday thru Saturday night. No cover!  Check it out. 

 The last couple of years have brought multiple concerts to the Johnny Jazz Park on Drs. Parker across the street from Corral Coffee. All types have music are presented outdoors in season. BYO seating.  

Presented by the Jazz Arts Project with Red Bank Parks & Rec, The T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, the Westside Jazz Committee and and Monmouth Arts. The Westside thanks everyone.

When you go, grab a finely-made stimulating beverage at Coffee Corral. Well into November Coffee Corral also offers musical acts in their spacious yard. Saturday and Sunday, generally from 11 to 2.  

During the height of COVID the Fortune Center did outdoor concerts. They've presented a variety of film, lecture, interactive, museum and music since their opening, and continue to do so. Our family is an active supporter. Please help tell Red Bank's history! 

F R E E Y O U R S P I R I T

Every week of the year, our local churches feature music during their services. This counts! Take in the singing at the Pilgrim Baptist Church or the band at St. Anthony of Padua. And we boast several other churches in the area as well. Make a donation when you visit. I always do.

C O M M E R C I A L S H O U T O U T

The owners of the building where the florist opened this week in the long-vacant Katsins space on Shrewbury are doing us a solid getting this done. They went it one better - they've refurbished the Katsins sign !  Angel Orzuna-Perez moved and enlarged his La Orquidea from up the Avenue becoming La Floriera Orquidea. We attended the opening Saturday. Go in and spend please. 

R E A L  E S T A T E   &   T H E  W E S T  S I D E 

The Westside is seeing numerous gut rehabilitations of houses, generally for rental use. I count seven gut jobs and two 'shells in waiting' in August. By gut rehab I mean new mechanicals, code compliant interiors, new kitchens and baths, and the like.

The super-tight County rental market propels owners to upgrade or fully renew their properties. Supported by investment money trying to get in, the many long-time owners here of multiple houses who also live nearby - and the high rents! The popular Monmouth County attracts all kinds, one of our strengths.

A M E N I T I E S

The southern border of the West Side of Red Bank is Newman Springs Road, a major area corridor. On Newman are two top flight Red Bank amenities, one in Red Bank itself and one 'across the street' - so I am including it.  Butch's Lube N' Wash is my car wash of choice, not least because the family owners are paying Red Bank taxes. Throw in the really great service, multi-generation ownership and discounts if you buy ten washes in advance. Does your vehicle needs beach sand removal? 

East of Butch's is a vanishing treasure today- a full-line, '30-foot of cold cases' Italian bakery owned by the multi-gen La Rosa Pastry Shop family. Once common, only a few of these large bakeries are left in the New York City region. Go chat with the voluble Sal La Rosa, shop, tip the counter women and buy goodies for you and yours. This special place and deserves our support. Open seven days a week. 

R E A L  E S T A T E   &   T H E  W E S T  S I D E 

Price cuts are being taken on many listings now as buyers are less active.
Top houses still move quickly, if they are just right, though less than last year.

At the same time, there were but 2,400 homes available for sale in the Monmouth/Ocean multiple listing system last month. Contrast that with the 1.2 million person population of our two counties. Sounds like too few choices to me given that most all purchasers live in Monmouth and Ocean already. 

A recent closing  - 25 E. Westside, a 1012 SF, 3 bed/1 bath needing most everything, closed for $375,000 in April. The LLC purchase indicates a renovation for rental. Good news is the value. 25 East failed to sell from a $199,900 ask seven years ago. 

A M E N I T I E S

Aren't our Westside food shopping numerous? Among our family's favorites are Monmouth Meats in the Westside theater district and Juanito's Market on the popular Shrewsbury Avenue Latin Food Row. 

We depend on Monmouth Meats for both fine & specialty meats as well as over the counter grilling items. Owner Stew Goldstein is a solid and friendly presence. Not all know the shop also stocks a whole meal to make; lemon, olive oil, pasta, bread, deli, vegetables. And don't miss the vintage TV shows on the box. 

 Juanito's Market - don't pay more for cilantro, ok! and we love the value-priced, fresh thin-sliced chicken breast cutlets. Grab some milk, limes, burger meat. Get your Mexican meal prep items. 

R E A L  E S T A T E   &   T H E  W E S T  S I D E 

The home sale market has gone in a new direction, topping out in early 2022. Multi-year, unusually rapid home value increases, the sudden interest rate pop and deepening world uncertainty took their toll. As a result, there is more inventory, imperfect houses are sitting for longer and no one wants to do work - which most all houses need. Typically, it takes time for sellers to adjust when a market is slowing. 

While still difficult to find what you want, there is more breathing room in the market. Note that move-in condition family homes priced right continue to get multiple offers, however. Strategic pricing is still the key to a smooth sale, as we see on the West Side with even renovated homes sitting for many weeks, such as the lovely West Westside gut renovated house that started 8 months ago at 725 and is now asking 659. 

Good news - so much renovation, both of for sale and for rent houses, is underway on almost every West Side street now. There's now more house reno than I've seen in my five years here, supported by sharply higher rents and a vanishingly tight rental inventory County-wide.  Curious about specific properties ? Email me directly if you wish as I prefer to not name owner-occupied homes in the newsletter, unless there is a closed sale of note. 

A M E N I T I E S

The West Side is blessed with multiple outdoor dining options, day and night. First up west of the tracks was KITCH on Leighton, shown below. Our favs are the huge Coffee Corral seating yard, Tino's sidewalk seating and his new back yard, Juanito's Grill's large new four season space and Sickel's sunny table seating. In case of rain, don't miss the tables in the lobby of the lovely 200 Monmouth Street, where Sickle's market has their West Side home. 

Many other fine spaces serve us well: the great Danny's; the music lover's Triumph; the unique Chaparitta; Juanito's original; the spacious Urban Coal House, the classic Buona Sera and the soulful JB Soul. Mia Lupita's inactive space was delightful in the Boondocks era. Any that I missed? Outdoor dining is a Red Bank custom. I suggest it is your citizenship responsibility to dine out.  Support your neighbor restaurants, at whatever price point you wish. They are Red Bank. 

R E A L  E S T A T E   &   T H E  W E S T  S I D E 

The rental market continues to be intense throughout Monmouth County. As a result, there are multiple upgrades and gut rehabs underway on the West Side, creating better rental properties on our blocks. Downside is rising rents. While they provide much needed rental units, these investors also compete with families seeking to buy.  

While the sales market continues with quite limited inventory, buyers are less aggressive in the wake of interest rate changes and concerns about the future. Thus, the market dynamic seems to be normalizing to a more balanced environment.  Move-in condition houses still get multiple offers if well-located and correctly priced. Other homes take longer to sell. Those buyers willing to do work have more options. Feel free to contact me for specific sales information if you wish. 

W E S T S I D E A M E N I T I E S

I think in terms of 'Old School' and 'New School' when discussing area amenities. My barber is Gus, the owner of the shop and building at 243 Shrewsbury. Active for decades, Gus's Barber Shop serves a long-time West Side clientele. The new wave is typified by Rigo's Barbers at 123 Shrewsbury Ave, which is both open late and seven days a week. Check out their nighttime window decorations sometime! 

R E A L  E S T A T E   &   T H E  W E S T  S I D E 

After many years of ups and downs, the West Side market shows considerable strength. Home values here increased anywhere from 25 to 100%, depending on property size and condition, since 2018. Causes of this are many, to be discussed again in this space. While some is due to the famous COVID-driven migration from New York City, most of the demand is from New Jersey buyers young and old. First homes, growing families, boomers downsizing, the fortunate trading up. For the newcomers to the county, Red Bank attracts some of these buyers. Being a terrific town doesn't hurt!  
 

While a private newsletter may not show listings or link to a brokerage, it can explore market trends, give homeowners general advice and note significant sales. Look here to keep up with the West Side market.

A M E N I T I E S

Our first food love here was TINO’s, then called Lino’s before Tino took over fully. Wood-roasted chicken with genuine, authentic Mexican meals three times a day, Tino’s is a dining treasure - not the typical menu. Discovered by many during the Covid take-out boom, Tino’s is supported by a range of diners.  Comfortable, shaded outdoor seating that works on Shrewsbury Avenue was added last year and a lovely back yard garden seating area just opened. Inside enjoy Mexican music and Latin 'footie' on the telly. 
 

We rely on our dear friends at Coffee Corral to keep us moving, provide a fine outdoor meeting place and present friendly faces each time we visit their full-service coffee house on Drs. Parker.  Enjoy the wide variety of baked goods, fine coffees, breakfast sandwiches and more. Courtlyn & Erich lead a great team. Check out the many events this summer in the spacious corral/yard/seating park they carefully maintain.