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BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Bridgewater Township planning board approved an application for a Chick-fil-A to replace the former Ruby Tuesday’s in the Towne Centre, on Route 202.

The application was for a 4,989-square-foot Chick-fil-A, including a drive-thru with two canopies associated with the building, a pick-up canopy and an ordering canopy.

Most of the concerns from board members over the application centered on traffic going in and out of the shopping center, and turning onto Towne Centre Road from the restaurant.

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Since the last meeting in December, the applicant had made a number of changes, including adding an escape road at the northeast corner of the property.

“We don’t intend to use that road, it is just there in the event of an emergency and allows vehicles to get on to an internal roadway in the shopping center,” applicant engineer Zachary Chaplin said.

In addition, Chaplin said, they have added a sign at the exit from the property onto Route 202, prior to the light at Towne Centre Road, informing drivers that they can make a right turn there to get back onto Route 202.

“We are hoping that with these changes, the board will be more comfortable with the circulation of traffic on the site,” he said.

Councilman Michael Kirsh asked if there is signage at the escape driveway to indicate that it is not an entrance to the Chick-fil-A property, and Chaplin said there is.

With regard to the sign at the exit to get back onto Route 202, Kirsh said he believes the sign should indicate that that is to be used only to get back onto Route 202 south.

“I think our intention is to inform that the best way to Route 202 south is that way,” he said. “Drivers could get to Route 202 north there, but if they do that, they could create traffic challenges on the road.”

“It is in the overall spirit of awareness,” he added. “It’s more of a friendly suggestion than an absolute guidance on a sign.”

Chaplin said they could put on the sign that it is an alternate route to 202 south.

“I believe that would accomplish what we’re trying to do,” Kirsh said. “Throughout the hearings, I have been concerned about the feeder road being a choke point. If it’s an alternate, that would definitely accomplish fixing this.”

Matthew Flynn, planner for the applicant, said the restaurant is a permitted use in the zone, but they are seeking several variances, including for the parking lot being slightly closer to Route 202 than is allowed by ordinance, needing a loading area where one is not provided and having slightly more building signage than is allowed.

In addition, there are fewer trees being proposed than is required.

“We have put trees where we can get them except for the front of the property,” he said. “If you look at the property, when driving by, it is intentional that there are none in front in order to accommodate the visibility of the main shopping center sign.”

Flynn said the benefits of the application outweigh the detriments, particularly because it is a permitted use and is a restaurant replacing another restaurant.

“We are not introducing anything new, and if you compare it to what was last there, we are looking at a reduction in building mass and more landscaping,” he said. “This is going to be less intense than what was there.”

“We looked at all zoning requirements for coverage and building mass, and feel that what we have here is appropriate,” he added. “We are not maximizing the use of the space, and we still have something that is efficient and works on the property.”

Kirsh questioned the setback of the parking. He asked if there is still sufficient space in the grassy area before the parking lot in the event of an accident on Route 202 where a car leaves the roadway.

“Is there still sufficient space for the car to come to a rest without landing in the parking lot?” he asked. “Over by the Bridgewater Diner, in a particularly dangerous corridor on Route 22 East, accidents occur where the car leaves the roadway and ends up on top of cars that are parked close to the highway.”

“It appears to me visually that there is a considerable buffer, but I am interested in a planning perspective,” he added.

Flynn said there is a difference of 6 feet between what is proposed and what is already there.

“There is some additional space with the sidewalk as well that is not included in the 19 feet of buffer that we have proposed,” he said. “The space we have meets the intent.”

With the conclusion of testimony, resident Penny Wolf said she lives in the Bradley Gardens section of town and frequents the Towne Centre shopping center frequently.

“Some days, I sit between two and three lights just to get into the shopping center,” she said. “I also have been hit coming south to get into the shopping center, I have been rear-ended.”

Wolf said she has been to other Chick-fil-A locations, and this is not the kind of restaurant that people go inside normally, there is a lot of drive-thru and other traffic. She said she believes it is going to cause an inordinate amount of traffic coming out of the business to join the rest of the cars on Towne Centre Road as they are coming from Wegmans and Home Depot.

“It’s busy all the time,” she said. “You’re going to have to put an officer there because you’re going to have traffic problems.”

Kirsh noted that, legally, they cannot deny an application simply because they are afraid it will be too successful.

“While your point of view is absolutely valid, I don’t know that the site having too much success is valid for a denial,” he said.

Wolf suggested that the township put an officer at the area to control traffic going in and out of the shopping center and the Chick-fil-A.

Kirsh noted that that is part of the business’s launch plan. He said Chick-fil-A does usually pay for additional traffic guidance as needed, and they bring in additional staff from other locations to help out.

Kirsh said that, overall, he believes it is a good application.

“I do have a concern that the site is too small, but if the applicant has gone through its due diligence and feels it can be successful, I have to accept that answer,” he said. “We’ll need to keep an eye on the flow in and out of the site, make sure it is operating as expected, and see if people are doing any unusual driving maneuvers that could create hazards.”

Board chairman Maurizio Vescio said he believes the addition of Chick-fil-A will create a complete and vibrant shopping center.

“The applicant has demonstrated ways it will work with us and put in safety options,” he said. “The signage will be important for entering and exiting the area. I have no doubt about the success the business has shown nationwide, and I expect a high level of support here as well.”

The application was unanimously approved by the planning board.

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Brother and sister team Luigi and Danielle Terraglia, under the guidance of their father Luigi, are bringing a little taste of their home-cooked Italian food to Martinsville.

The family-owned and operated Luigi's Deli and Italian market recently opened at 1990 Washington Valley Road in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater.

The Terraglia family of Bedminster has been in the restaurant business for close to 60 years. They previously owned Luna Rossa off Route 202in Bedminster for more than 30 years before selling it in 2021.

After a few years Luigi and Danielle "decided it was time to get back into the business, but just with a little bit of a different twist on it."

"There'll be a traditional deli sense to it, but what we're really focusing on — we're going to have an Italian market with some different imported goods," said Danielle to Patch. "We're going to have deli cases full of different prepared foods that will offer grab-and-go meals for dinner, fresh pastas, homemade sauces, different cheeses, and different meats."

There will also be some cookies, pastries, olive oil, etc. to help fill your pantry at home.

Italian cooking and food has always been at the core of the Terraglia family.

"Our father was born in Italy, and came here in 1955. He opened his first restaurant in 1965 with our grandparents and his brother," said Danielle.

Luigi and Danielle are the first generation born in the United States and third-generation business owners in the Italian food industry.

"My brother and I, we've grown up in the industry, in the business around the food in the kitchen, so we're excited to bring our family cooking to Bridgewater," said Danielle.

Many of the recipes are from the Terraglia's family history from the Campania region of Italy where their family is from. They are "recipes that our grandparents brought over from Italy, handed down to us," said Luigi.

Luigi and Danielle believe food is the way to someone's heart.

"As Italians, that's how we show love. In a way, it's feeding people," said Danielle. "When you create something and you make something and that nourishes another person, you can find it's made with love."

For more information on Luigi's Deli and Italian market visit facebook.com or instagram.com/LuigisItalianmarket or call 732-369-6604.

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The event will include live performances, a fashion show and an interactive Lunar New Year Zumba.

Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The beating of drums, cymbals and gongs accompanying dragon dance movements to bring good luck and fortune will be just the beginning of the free "Lunar New Year @ The Commons Celebration" as Bridgewater Commons welcomes the Year of the Snake on Feb. 1 and 2.

Held in partnership with The Center for Cultural & Creative Exchange (CCCE), the center will host live performances, a fashion show and even an interactive Lunar New Year Zumba to celebrate the grandest ancient traditional festival in Asia, signaling the beginning of spring and the arrival of the new year.

According to Chinese astrology, just as snakes shed their skin periodically, the Year of the Snake symbolizes transformation and rebirth.

"Bridgewater Commons is blessed to be the retail heart and soul of an ethnically and culturally diverse community," said Tom Kovacic, Marketing and Business Development Director of Bridgewater Commons. "It’s always a highlight to celebrate our Asian American community, and to work with CCCE to create events that will honor Chinese culture and educate all of our guests."

On Sunday, Feb. 2, from 2 to 3 p.m., the mall will host live, spectacular performances in Center Court including the following:

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In addition, families are also welcomed to partake in a Chinese arts and crafts workshop that includes Chinese calligraphy and lantern making at the Event Space (located on the Main Level next to Vans) on both Saturday, February 1 and Sunday, February 2 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The traditional Chinese giving of red envelopes filled with treats and special mall offers will delight lucky attendees.

Established in 2019, CCCE is a non-profit organization founded in New Jersey and its mission is twofold: to help preserve Chinese culture and heritage and to promote unity, harmony and respect for all demographic groups within the community. Through sharing East Asian culture and art, CCCE provides several cultural events annually including The Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar Chinese New Year and many more.

"We’ve been delighted to work with Bridgewater Commons for our fifth straight year to celebrate the New Year, our Autumn Lantern Festival and our Asian American community," said Li Ching Jung, Head of the CCCE. "Each year, our events are bigger and better, and this year will be no exception!"

Bridgewater Commons began its Asian cultural celebrations in 2020 with Lunar New Year dance spectaculars in Center Court that featured over 40 performers, drawing hundreds of guests. The annual program has evolved and grown into this year’s expanded Lunar celebration. Other cultural celebrations throughout the year at the shopping center include the Chinese Mid-Autumn Lantern Festivals and Diwali, in honor of the unique diversity in Somerset County.