By Barbara A. Preston | Posted on September 21, 2023 (Updated at 1:15 pm)
The Montgomery Township Committee awarded a new liquor license on September 7 to the developer of Village Walk, a mixed-use property on Route 206 in Skillman. Montgomery resident Vincent Pugliese and his family own and operate Pugliese Properties. They were the sole responder to the township’s solicitation for the liquor license. The minimum bid was $425,000.
Montgomery was entitled to issue a new liquor license due to an increase in population, according to township clerk Lisa Fania. The maximum quantity of plenary retail consumption liquor licenses allowed by ordinance is now seven in Montgomery. Due to the population of 23,690 on the 2020 Federal Census, the township was able to offer an additional consumption license.
Montgomery Township now has a total of seven plenary liquor licenses, as follows: Cherry Valley Country Club, Aja Asian Cuisine, and the Tiger’s Tale own the three active licenses. There also are now four inactive plenary consumption licenses: One held by Village Walk and three held by Montgomery Promenade (a huge retail/housing development with a Whole Foods supermarket planned for Route 206. The developers are expected to break ground on September 26.
Montgomery Township Committee approved a resolution authorizing the Puglieses’ bid for the new plenary retail consumption license at its September 7 meeting.
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Village Walk at Montgomery was formerly the Village Shopper strip mall, which housed Mrs. Chows Chinese restaurant, Clouds Cafe CBD & Vape Products, a hair salon, and other shops. Village Walk, currently under construction, will feature a three-story mixed-used apartment building with 52 units ranging in size from one to three bedrooms and numerous retail spaces.
It will include four other buildings, one of which is already operational and includes a Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Orange Theory, and a facial/ massage salon. The other buildings will include retail spaces and two restaurants. The liquor license is expected to be used to enhance the redevelopment project, for a “destination restaurant.”
Montgomery Township also has three club licenses. A club license is issued to non-profit organizations that have a minimum of 60 members and have possessed a clubhouse for three continuous years. There is no population cap governing the number of club licenses that may be issued, however, a municipality may limit the number by ordinance.
The license only permits the sale of alcoholic beverages for immediate consumption on the licensed premises to bona fide club members and their guests. The Princeton Elks Lodge, Bedens Brook Country Club, and Nassau Racquet/Tennis Club hold club licenses in town.
Finally, the following Montgomery Township businesses own distribution licenses to sell packaged goods: AKP Spirit (Skillman Wine & Liquor); Montgomery Wine Market; and Montgomery Promenade (inactive).
