'The Cove' Sign Stealers Caught On Surveillance Video

BAYVILLE, NJ - Yes, it's true. Someone stole the sign from the now-closed Cove restaurant on Bay Boulevard while the business was still open, the general manager said.

"We have video of two gentlemen who helped themselves to the sign," said Mary D'Amelio. "They wanted a little piece of The Cove. What are you going to do?"

The popular restaurant closed its doors for good on Sunday night. And the sign wasn't all that people helped themselves to, she said.

The inside of the restaurant was missing pictures and nautical items, which apparently had been taken when it was open, D'Amelio said.

Also missing were lights from the tiki bars and a number of other items from the outside of the restaurant.

She tried to keep her eye on things, but missed some of the items being filched.

The Cove was so jammed over the weekend that D'Amelio had to let two people in at a time. And that only happened when two people left the building, she said.

"It was amazing," she said. "It was so crowded we had to stop people at the door."

D'Amelio said she has not reported the theft to the police department since the footage is blurry and the license plate can't be seen clearly.

The closing on the restaurant - which has been a Bayville landmark since 2011 - could come as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, she said.

The Cove is slated to be sold to MJ's, a company with a number of restaurants, primarily in Monmouth County.

The original part of the restaurant is 100 years old and has been home to several eateries, all Mom n' Pop ventures, she said. It's the former home to the Holly Park Hotel, the Holly Park Inn, Big Stash's and most recently, Windows on the Bay. Owner Lou Turro opened The Cove in 2011.

Turro closed the business because he is is 77 years old and would like to retire.

After everyone left on Sunday night, the staff munched on pizzas from Schianos and reminisced, she said.

"It was family," D'Amelio said. "It was home."

Photo: Courtesy of Lisa Allison Clay