The Godfather Coming to Highlands at Morristown Station
East Hanover restaurant first retail tenant at transit-oriented apartment building since opening in 2009.
Photos
After several years of silence, the retail floor of Highlands at Morristown Station is finally ready to be occupied.
The Godfather of East Hanover, a brick oven pizza and seafood restaurant located on Route 10, is expanding from that location founded in 1975 and moving into an area of Morristown that has quickly become a hotbed of new business.
Just recently, Panera Bread opened up next door in the Midtown Shopping Center, while across the street The Finishing Touch is putting the finishing touches on a new, expanded location, and right next to that a new performing center, called Dreams, is set to open next month. Just a walk down Morris Street, Fatty's, specializing in "fat" style sandwiches, is preparing for a pending opening, as well.
The owners of The Godfather recently signed a lease for more than 4,500 square feet of restaurant space at The Highlands at Morristown Station, located next to the Morristown Train Station. They will be the building's first business since opening to residents in fall 2009.
“The overall redevelopment of downtown Morristown that brought quality new housing and thousands of new residents has combined with a significant daytime workforce, active evening leisure crowd and mass public transportation system to create a much-improved retail climate that is resonating with the business community,” said Debra Tantleff, a vice president of development at Roseland Property Co., which collaborated with Woodmont Properties to develop and manage The Highlands at Morristown Station, 40 Park, The Metropolitan at 40 Park and Vail Mansion.
“The influx of new dining, boutique shops and convenience services complements the area’s existing retail fabric, resulting in a dynamic, pedestrian-friendly setting that epitomizes downtown, urban living.”
What a press release from Roseland dubs "a high-end liquor store" also is preparing to open next door to the restaurant. The two new businesses will occupy more than half of the street-level retail space at 10 Lafayette Ave.
Tantleff could not pin down a specific opening date, but said neither would be open at least until sometime next year.
Matt S
12:37 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
ahh finally this space will be occupied...pizza place and a liquor store..not too bad...happy for highlands
MotownMike
7:04 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Can't wait to finally have a pizza place and a liquor store in that location!!! Oh wait....I forgot...Pete's, Pomodoro, Morris Pizza, Midtown Wine Merchant, Four Seasons Liquor. I can hit them all with a sneeze from the Highlands. Why not open a Cluck Community College Chicken there too.
Chris
11:22 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Its about time something went in there. With nothing there, it didn't even seem like the complex was open.
Virginia Faulkner
5:58 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I can't see why any retailer would want to be there when locations with much easier parking are available.
Sally Beck
8:45 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
It just kills me that a great place like the Health Food Shop had to to go out of business, but places like Fattys (of all things), Panera and a pizza joint will succeed.
What are people thinking?
Ryan
10:33 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Number one thing people are probably thinking is cost. The Health Food Shop that left was just ridiculously expensive. Don't get me wrong, I know good, organic food costs a lot of money. The prices there, however, were just way too high for a good number of people to afford. Also the store was pretty grimy looking.
I must say though: I also wish that Morristown had more healthy options.
Kendra Arnold
11:12 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I think Grassroots Natural Market from Denville is opening a second location at the same spot where the Health Shoppe was; I can't wait!
Nj411
8:10 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Godfather is much more than just a "Pizza joint". I frequently go to the East Hanover location. The selection of healthy options is endless.... Yes they have pizza but there is much more. Don't knock it till you try it!
Vincent
4:25 pm on Sunday, October 21, 2012
Jungle Juice down the street on Morris St. serves wheatgrass now and healthy fresh vegetable/fruit juices too. They also have fruit smoothies and protein shakes if you're looking for a healthier option. I go there after the gym all the time. (My office orders for delivery also!)
Morris Towne
9:00 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Would have preferred to see a nice market there like the Garden of Eden type places in South Orange and Hoboken. Or even a small Trader Joe's. Oh well, something is better than nothing.
Oh, and btw wasn't the Godfather on route 10 raided as part of a mafia investigation a few years ago?
Ruby
9:33 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Godfather was shut down, yes. But the investigation was clean, considering they are still open. Everyone there is great, and there is no need for speculation at this point.
Ruby
9:40 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
.. you fool.
Morris Towne
10:39 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Didn't speculate about anything Ruby and you just confirmed the same thing - they were raided. That's not speculation. Just remembered seeing their name in the press a few years ago in regards to a mob bust. Oh, and resorting to name calling is pretty lame but whatever works for you I guess...
Ruby
12:04 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
All I'm saying is that if there was anything illegal happening, they would've been closed down. So, your assumptions based on what you've heard seem to be faulty.
Fat Tony
9:46 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
tonight, you will all be sleeping with the fishes if you mention the investigation of my joint again.
Linda Z
12:01 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
lol There is no such thing as the mafia. Right Tony?
Nordrom Keni
9:47 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Sally, well said. But most Americans after all don't like to eat healthy.
I know a couple of people who live in those condos and I agree, why pay that much to live in that part of town next to the train station. That isn't the greatest area. But give me the choice of living in 2 similar places, 1 in Morristown and 1 in nyc, I will choose Morristown every time. Not everyone wants to live in the city. I sure don't.
DaisyDo
9:54 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Highlands is an apartment building, not condos.
Fat Tony
10:25 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
why don't they open a place for the work challenged there so they won't be hanging out across from the train station all morning?
Lanie
9:37 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
This is EXCITING NEWS! The guys at the Godfather in East Hanover make great food and are very friendly. I grew up in EH, and now live in Morristown. I can't wait for the day I call for delivery.
Stephanie
10:22 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Just what Morristown needs. Yet another food place. Morristown basically consists of restaurants/food spots, banks, and yoga studios now. Isn't there anything else? Although, I have to say that I do love the idea of a Trader Joe's. Or a Grassroots, but the latter is so expensive.
mallory breg
12:38 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Can't wait - heard this place is awesome
Rebecca P. Feldman, Morristown Council
8:28 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Godfather's has made a great choice in this location - there's tons of parking available in the parking deck, right below it. Following on the heels of 7-11 and Panera, this is a strong vote of confidence for the revitalization of the Transit Village area. Soon there will be a dance studio right across the street. And there's more redevelopment pending, on the surface lot next to All County Rental, and at the former lumberyard site. Stay tuned!
Motown Gentleman
8:48 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
I see about three reasons why this place will fail:
1. Its main product, despite how full their menu is, will be pizza. That's just how pizza places are...they all have other meals and sandwiches...but they are pizza joints. And guess what? The Godfather will be the 7th pizzeria in town. Market share will be dismal.
2. Location! If they were interested in a lunch crowd, they would have done their research that there are no businesses in that area of town. If you work in an office in Morristown, you are walking to lunch...and you're looking around the Green. And for dinner? Perhaps some people hopping of the train around 6:30 or 7pm, but they don't sit down, they want to go home.
3. Prices. I have been to Godfathers several times in their East Hanover location. I have no complaints. The pizza is good, but no better than any place in Morristown. That being said, an immediate look at their prices will quickly price them out of competition. Chicken Parm sandwich @ Morris Pizzeria=$6.99 with free drink, same sandwich at the Godfather=9.89.
Chris
9:27 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Motown Gentlemen. Actually, people aren't going to go there for the pizza. Its much more than a pizza place. I feel their main attraction is their raw bar. They have GREAT seafood over there. Very nice ambiance, too. I def wouldn't mind bringing my GF there for a date. Its kinda like the brick oven pizza place mixed with urban table... and add a raw bar and a regular bar, too. The place will be a knockout.
True, there are no businesses over there, but we always get lunch ordered anyway. They better deliver!
And prices... well I complained about the $8.50 burrito's at Tito's. They said, "Well it is Morristown!" And, they are right. They are still there and flourishing.
Ruby
10:58 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Prices have everything to do with quality, and the Godfather of EH uses the best. If you want the best, high-quality ingredients, it's not going to be in a 6.99 sandwich.
And yes Chris, I hear their business does a large amount of deliveries, so I'd imagine with all the businesses in the area, they will do great.
Nj411
8:19 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
As Chris and Ruby stated this place will do great. The quality of the food is excellent. Everyone is talking about health and how it would be great for a Trader Joes to open up... Well if you are looking for some healthy REAL food try the Godfather. Everything is fresh and made with the best quality ingredients. One of my favs is the Jerry salad with FRESH grilled salmon! Yes it will cost a little more money than your average "pizza joint". But when I go out to eat I'm not looking to put just an average food into my body. Best luck to the Godfather team!
Vincent
4:27 pm on Sunday, October 21, 2012
Jungle Juice down the street on Morris St. serves wheatgrass now and healthy fresh vegetable/fruit juices too. They also have fruit smoothies and protein shakes if you're looking for a healthier option. I go there after the gym all the time. (My office orders for delivery also!)