Pier Village is a multi-use "lifestyle center" located in Long Branch, New Jersey along the Atlantic Ocean. Long Branch is a City in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. It opened in 2005.
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The land that Pier Village now sits on was originally that of the Long Branch Pier and the Kid's World amusement park. The Long Branch Pier was a Pier located at 65 Ocean Ave in Long Branch, New Jersey, United States. Kid's World was an Amusement park along the boardwalk on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch, New Jersey.
On June 8, 1987, at around 3 pm, a fire broke out at the McDonald's at the end of the pier. Events 68 - The Roman Senate accepts emperor Galba. 536 - St Silverius becomes Pope (probable Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The fire quickly spread throughout the pier, despite efforts by the Long Branch Fire Department to save it. After the fire, all that remained of the pier complex were the water attractions across the street from the pier. However, after the fire, business had slowed down, so the rest of remaining Kid's World closed down for good at the end of that summer.
The owner, Pat Cicalese, planned on rebuilding the pier. However, his insurance didn't cover the cost to rebuild what was destroyed, and the town would not fund the project, so the plans were abandoned. What was left of Kid's World remained abandoned for 17 years after the fire.
What was left of the pier was demolished in the late 1990s. The rest of Kid's World across the street met the wrecking ball in 2002.
Soon after that, construction of Pier Village began, starting with the rebuilding of the boardwalk.
There are two buildings built around a semi-circle of parallel parking around a grassy area and gazebo. In the winter months, an ice skating rink is brought out to the grassy area. The first story is filled with shops and restaurants, while the upper floors are filled with ocean-view Apartments. During the summer, local bands play at the gazebo on Friday nights.
The tenants are mostly local businesses, most from Monmouth County, but there are national brands, such as Stewart's Root Beer and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Monmouth County is a County located in the US state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. Stewart's Drive-In is a classic 1950s style fast-food restaurant Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory ( is a Chocolate company Retailer and manufacturer based in Durango Colorado.
There is also a shopper's club, which club members can receive special benefits.
New Pier
In 2005, plans for a new pier were unveiled.
The new plans would include:
Pier Village Phase II
A second expansion broke ground in Fall 2006.
Buildings three and seven will be constructed on the corner of Chelsea Avenue and Ocean Boulevard and will both stand four-stories high with retail stores at street level.
Building three will contain 124 units and a four-story parking deck. building seven will have 47 units, a pool, locker room and public gathering space.
Building eight will be constructed on the corner of Melrose and Ocean Boulevard and will contain residential units above a parking garage.
Buildings three, seven and eight will be rental units and building two will be for-sale units
Pier Village Phase III
In February 2007, a third phase was announced. No details have been revealed yet.