Life + Culture

A Legacy Built on Leashes & Love

A Family Business With Heart—and a Vision for What’s Next Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Andrea Phox For nearly three decades, Bow Wow Bed & Bath has been more than a place to drop off a dog for grooming, boarding, daycare or training. For families across the Middletown–Red Bank area, it has become a trusted extension of home—built on patience, consistency and genuine care. Founded in 1997 by sisters Adrienne Agresti and Geri Lucia, Bow Wow Bed & Bath was created with a simple...

Local Services

Building Community From the Ground Up

The Bunny Hive Arrives in Monmouth County Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by The Bunny Hive, Kartheek Hedge When Alex Rascoll talks about The Bunny Hive—set to open in Fort Monmouth on February 7—she lights up in the way only someone who has truly found her calling can. For the Middletown native, the soon-to-open baby and caregiver studio isn’t just a business. It’s the culmination of a winding personal journey, a full-circle return home, and a chance to build the kind of community...

Health + Wellness

When Help Feels Like Home

A people-first approach to senior care rooted in connection and community Article and Photography by Leslie LaCosta The call usually comes when something small suddenly becomes big: a missed medication, a fall no one saw, a moment of confusion that rattles an entire family. These are the vulnerable moments when the simple things are no longer simple and the stakes feel impossibly high. It is a reality the founders of Seniors Helping Seniors understand personally. They are walking the same...

Health + Wellness

Breaking Ground, Building Futures

Long Branch advances Health, Wellness and Technology Center and Park project Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Lindsay M. DeAngelis The City of Long Branch moved forward with the new Health, Wellness and Technology Center and Park, a transformative community destination at the corner of Bath and Third avenues. The groundbreaking ceremony was held Sept. 19, marking the official start of a project expected to be completed within the next 12 to 15 months. The project was planned to...

Life + Culture

Finding Her Dazzle

From classroom to camera, this Monmouth County creator is proving that confidence, creativity, and community never go out of style. Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Kristin Thompson, Tracy Colón When Monmouth County resident and elementary school music teacher Tracy Colón started her blog in 2016, it wasn’t about chasing followers or building a brand. It was about creativity. “I wanted to do something different outside of teaching,” Colón says. “I’ve always loved fashion, and...

Shopping

New Chapter for Monmouth Mall

Monmouth Square Is the Big, Bold Refresh Monmouth County’s Been Waiting For Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Kushner A familiar landmark is getting a future-ready reset. The former Monmouth Mall is being reimagined as Monmouth Square, a more than $500 million open-air town center by Kushner that blends daily-needs retail, dining, housing and public space into a walkable district designed for everyday life. Located at 180 Route 35 in Eatontown, plans call for 990,000 square feet of...

Food + Beverage

Let’s make a pizza!

Julia Molinari Is a Jersey Girl With Pizza on the Brain Article by Patti Zielinski | Photography by Julia Molinari Julia Molinari is a true Jersey girl. She was raised on the Jersey Shore, grew up working in her parents Italian restaurant and loves pizza. Really loves pizza. If you are one of the millions of people who follow Molinari on TikTok or Instagram, you have likely watched her expertly knead and toss dough, sprinkle fresh toppings and drizzle olive oil across bubbling cheese. Her...

Entertainment

Celebrating 50 Years of 90.5 The Night

Brookdale’s Living Lab for Creativity and Community Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Brookdale Community College For 50 years, 90.5 The Night—Brookdale Community College’s public radio station—has been a defining voice of Monmouth County. What began in the early 1970s as an educational experiment has evolved into a vibrant multimedia hub that blends professional broadcasting, student learning, and deep community engagement. Unlike traditional college radio—often remembered for...

Local Services

Editor's Picks

Love Local — February 2026 Article by Greater Long Branch City Lifestyle There’s something special about a community that shows up for its own. Love Local Editors’ Picks is based entirely on reader votes, highlighting the businesses, professionals and organizations our community trusts and supports most. These are real recommendations from real locals. Each month, we introduce new categories to spotlight different parts of Greater Long Branch. To see the latest categories and voting...

Food + Beverage

A Delicious Affair

A Valentine’s menu designed to delight every sense Article and Photography by Chef David Burke Courtesy of Valentine’s Day, there’s plenty of chatter this time of year about aphrodisiacs—foods believed to inspire romance and connection, particularly oysters and chocolate. These ingredients have long-standing cultural and historical ties to love and celebration, and science even offers some support. Oysters are rich in zinc, which plays a role in hormone production and dopamine regulation—both...