LAKEHURST, NJ – Residents of Lakehurst are wondering what is happening over at the LaBove Grande, a shuttered banquet hall that sits on the Route 70 and Union Avenue circle. For decades, the LaBove Grand was one of the more upscale banquets and catering halls in this part of Ocean County, but shut its doors for good in the spring of 2019.
At a recent township council meeting, resident Jean Rosetti asked the mayor and council what the plan is for the former LaBove Grande building. The site had construction crews doing some concrete and block work on the outside, topped with an engraving of a menorah near the front door.
Mayor Harry Robbins said the new owners were opening a senior daycare facility there.
“Ms. Rosetti questioned the menorah on the building adding will the daycare be opened for all people of all faiths,” according to the official meeting minutes on record by the township.
Mayor Robbins responded the daycare will be opened to everyone and added it is a privately owned building. According to township records, the new owners of the property are identified as 800 ROUTE 70 LLC ETAL, operating out of a PO Box in Lakewood Township.
The engraving which appears to look like a menorah has been on the building for a very long time. It’s not a new feature but now appears more prominent due to the construction of a block wall nearby. Recently, the menorah was revitalized, but archival photos show the structure had been adorned on the wall for at least the past five years, maybe much longer.