Iconic Jersey Shore Eatery Sold To Mystery Owner

ASBURY PARK, NJ — Moonstruck, one of the most iconic restaurants in New Jersey and credited for causing the rebirth of Asbury Park's drinking, dining and business scene, has been sold to new owners.

The restaurant is not closing: It has been sold to new owners, according to co-owner Luke Magliaro. However, he will not reveal who bought it.

Moonstruck Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge announced the news Tuesday in a post on their Facebook page.

"With very mixed emotions, we are formally announcing that at the end of April (fingers crossed) we are selling our beloved Moonstruck Restaurant," the restaurant wrote. "After an incredible 36-plus years, beginning with The Raspberry Cafe in Ocean Grove, we have made the difficult decision to retire."

Magliaro and Moonstruck co-owner Howard Raczkiewicz said they want to retire. They are declining to publicly reveal who the new owner is, but the owner plans to keep Moonstruck open and operating as it is now, NJ.com reported.

"Their intention, they claim, is to keep it as much the same as possible," Magliaro told NJ.com this week. "They’re going to keep the menu and the staff."

"We are passing the torch to new owners who plan to continue and expand the operation while ensuring its legacy lives on. As seasoned restaurateurs themselves, they are enthusiastic about pleasing our loyal clients and committed to working with our dedicated staff," said Magliaro and Raczkiewicz in their Facebook page. "We’ve agreed to extend our stay for a few weeks to aid in the transition and hope to share our insights on what makes Moonstruck tick."

When Moonstruck first opened at its three-story location on Lake Avenue in 2002 — with decks to capture the ocean breezes — Asbury Park was an urban ghost town. The Stone Pony was nearby, but storefronts were boarded up and vacant, and the property was surrounded by empty lots.

But Moonstruck quickly developed a reputation for good food, a romantic ambiance, ocean views and genuine hospitality. It lured customers from New York City, and was followed by the opening of dozens of other small businesses on Lake Avenue today, followed by Asbury Park's condo building boom.

"I really call them 'pioneers' because they took a risk," Tom Gilmour, Asbury Park's former economic development director, told the Asbury Park Press this week. "Of anybody, they really took a big risk to come to Asbury Park. But because they had such good food and service, they were able to pull it off."

Magliaro and Rackiewicz first owned The Raspberry Cafe in Ocean Grove.