Chatham Plaza on Main Street in Chatham — Courtesy: Levin Management Corp
By Joshua Burd
A new locally owned Italian restaurant and pizzeria is coming to a busy retail center in Chatham, under a transaction arranged by Levin Management Corp.
In a news release, the real estate services firm said The Shop has leased 2,300 square feet at Chatham Plaza on Main Street, where it will occupy a space that formerly housed the Café Villa eatery for more than 25 years. The operator will open as a new business venture for Vincenzo Bernardo and Christopher Bezzone, who both have roots in the community, offering artisanal pizzas, hand-crafted pastas and sandwiches, with a small retail component that will sell imported specialty goods, prepared sauces, cheeses and fresh breads.
LMC represented ownership in the deal.
“Chatham Plaza shoppers and local residents alike have long appreciated the presence of an Italian restaurant at this location,” said Kendal Hand-Freda, LMC’s leasing representative at the property. “The Shop is a modern, family-friendly restaurant where patrons can still grab a pizza along with a host of other classic Italian favorites. We are thrilled to bring this quality dining element to the community.”
The business is coming to the 31,500-square-foot retail center alongside tenants such as CVS, its anchor, and operators such as Blue Foundry Bank, C2 Education tutoring center and JAG Physical Therapy, among others. In announcing the deal, LMC noted that The Shop will also have a dining room known as The Supper Club, featuring a small menu and limited seating and weekend hours
“The Shop is centered around pizza, pasta and panino,” Bezzone said. “We look forward to being a neighborhood dining destination where someone can stop by a few times a week to grab their favorite lunch or dinner. What sets us apart is our focus on inventive and creative versions of Italian food. All menu items will feature authentic ingredients that pay homage to our Italian heritage. Our concept takes these classic dishes and elevates them in a way that’s trendy, appealing and a little more thoughtful than a typical slice of pizza.”
