TOMS RIVER, NJ—Losing a business in your community is never a good thing. Once again, residents of Silverton and the greater Toms River area are without a restaurant at the corner of Kettle Creek Road and Hooper Avenue.
There was no official announcement, but Royx’s Bar and Grille has closed down. Last week, an eviction notice was posted on the front door, followed by the removal of the company’s website and social media profiles. Court records confirmed that the landlord was suing the business for unpaid rent dating back to December.
Now, former employees are taking to social media complaining they have not been paid either.
Roxy’s got off to a rocky start in Toms River, taking up space in the former Charlie Brown’s restaurant that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, there was mafia drama. A reported mafia associate threatened to burn the restaurant down after getting into an argument with the owners. There were even surveillance photos of the mob associated with buying gasoline for a gas can at the Exxon across the street.
Then there were the drag queens. The business was on shaky ground with many in the community. This week, it appears Roxy’s won’t be coming back, but we have been unable to contact the owners for confirmation.
What the future holds for the site is unknown. Can another restaurant survive?
Others are thriving in the area. Riv’s Silverton Hub is packed nearly seven days a week. Tony Rivoli, the restaurant’s owner, books entertainment and live bands, and the restaurant has daily specials that attract hordes of customers. The food and service at Riv’s are also exceptional.
McIntyre’s Pub. now called Mac’s Pub further south, also appears to be doing well and has a loyal customer base, great service, and great food. It has been a neighborhood staple in the Silverton area for years.
The Silverton Diner also has a very loyal fan base. It mostly caters to workers and the nearby senior community. Once again, it offers good food, good service, and a great menu.
For a quick bite, there’s Surf Taco, Little Mia’s, Brooklyn Square, Villagio Pizza (in the old Steverino’s spot), Brooklyn Bistro, Patricia’s, Uminoya Sushi, Johnny G’s, Ortegas and Cuzzins Pizza.
There’s also a new Salad House and Pizza Hut in the neighborhood.
Those restaurants thrive and are appreciated by the local community. Charlie Brown’s was the same when it was in business.
The question remains: Is the location doomed, or can a quality business with the right business model, theme, food, and prices survive in the same location?
