The Popular Cove Restaurant's Last Day Is Sunday

BAYVILLE, NJ - It's been a good run. But if you love The Cove restaurant on Bayview Avenue, you'd better get to it by this weekend.

The popular restaurant, which has been a Bayville landmark since 2011 - will close for good on Sunday, General Manager Mary D'Amelio said.

The Cove is slated to be sold to MJ's, a company with a number of restaurants, primarily in Monmouth County. The closing has not yet taken place, but it's going to happen, she said.

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.

He's closing it now because he's 77 years old and would like to retire, D'Amelio said.

The restaurant will be closed for the next several months, while MJ's remodels the interior, she said.

But for now, locals and even summer people have been packing the restaurant to have a last meal and say goodbye to the winter staff of 45 employees, D'Amelio said.

"I've been seeing the same people all week," she joked.

They've also bought up most of "The Cove" memorabilia. There are still some size small T-shirts and sweatshirts left, but that's about it. The T-shirts are $15. The sweatshirts are going for $30.

The restaurant's Facebook page invites visitors to join in a "final jam session" on Saturday.

"It will be a night you will never forget," the post states. "We will start off with PJ Farley & Joe Kori 4pm-8pm then Bad Little Doggie will take the stage at 9:30...then Fiasco....and multiple other talents that have hit our stage over the years."

Photo: Courtesy of The Cove Facebook page. Video: Courtesy of youtube.