JBJ Soul Kitchen approved

The Soul Kitchen should be up and running around September:

At the April Planning Board Meeting in Red Bank, the JBJ Soul Kitchen, founded by Dorothea Bongiovi (wife of pop-rock musician Jon Bon Jovi) received instant, unanimous approval for its plans to open a permanent community-based eatery, which will provide a meal for anybody who walks in – whether he/she can pay or not. The plans had been filed by her mega-star philanthropist husband's non-profit organization, the JBJ Soul Foundation.

Bongiovi, in partnership with Zeet Peabody, received approval to open in a 1050 square foot space at 207 Monmouth Street, a building that formerly was an auto repair shop. Soul Kitchen will be a pay-what-you-can restaurant serving approximately 26 to 30 people. A $10 donation to pay for a meal is suggested, but if a person doesn't have the money, he/she can work it off in the kitchen.

The Soul Kitchen started in January 2010 with a staggered schedule at St. Anthony’s of Padua and Lunch Break in Red Bank. With the Planning Board's approval, construction will start shortly on the space to add a kitchen, dining room, appropriate lighting and exterior signage. Plans also call for improvements to the sidewalk and driveway, which will be redone in gray stone, not pavement according to attorney Michael Monroe.

Read the full article here.